News & Stories for Musicians

Brexit Deal Voted Down in Parliament for the Third Time

Theresa May’s Brexit deal has today been voted down by the House of Commons. The UK now has until 12 April 2019 to set out its next steps. Any delay beyond 12 April will be dependent on approval from the EU.

Published: 29 March 2019

Musicians’ Union Welcomes Brexit Delay

The Musicians’ Union (MU) has welcomed the European Union’s (EU) offer to postpone Brexit beyond 29 March. We had real concerns that parliament would not come to an agreement in time to avoid a No Deal scenario.

Published: 21 March 2019

Report Released Recommending that Government Must Act Now to Protect Music

A new report from the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee says the Government must act now to protect music. The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted to see the inquiry take on board our concerns about working in the European Union (EU) post-Brexit.

Published: 20 March 2019

Musicians’ Union Support for the People’s Vote March

The Musicians' Union (MU) will have a presence at the People’s Vote march in London on 23 March, and has t-shirts and placards available for members who plan to attend.

Published: 15 March 2019

Labour Party Backs a Second Referendum

The Musicians’ Union (MU) welcomes Jeremy Corbyn’s announcement that the Labour Party backs a second referendum, in line with Labour policy decided by members and affiliate trade unions at Labour Party Conference in September.

Published: 28 February 2019

Musicians' Union Welcomes Result of Vote on Withdrawal Agreement

Theresa May’s proposed Withdrawal Agreement has tonight been soundly defeated in the House of Commons.

Published: 15 January 2019

Brexit: Where We Are Now

It’s been a busy few weeks for Brexit watchers. Earlier this month, the Prime Minister and the European Union released the proposed Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration.

Published: 06 December 2018

Britain’s Creative Industries Break the £100 Billion Barrier

New statistics from the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport show that the UK’s roaring creative industries have made a record contribution to the economy in 2017 – smashing through the £100 billion mark.

Published: 30 November 2018

Musicians' Union Reacts to Brexit Deal

The ability to travel and work freely and easily in Europe is of paramount importance to our members, and we will continue to fight either for freedom of movement or, at the very least, a simple, cheap and admin-light EU touring visa for musicians and performers.

Published: 15 November 2018

Gigging and Touring Before the EU

Over 15,000 people have signed the Musicians’ Union (MU) petition for a touring visa for musicians working in the European Union post-Brexit.

Published: 31 October 2018

MU Welcomes Labour Party Stance on Brexit

The Musicians’ Union (MU) has welcomed the Brexit motion that was passed at Labour Party Conference last week.

Published: 28 September 2018

Concerned About Your Right to Work in the EU Post-Brexit? Ask Your MP & Devolved Representatives to Back Musicians

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is calling on Government and Parliament to introduce a European Union (EU) touring visa for musicians working in the EU post-Brexit.

Published: 13 September 2018

Musicians’ Union Calling for Touring Visa for Musicians Post-Brexit

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is calling on Government and Parliament to introduce a European Union (EU) touring visa for musicians working in the EU post-Brexit.

Published: 13 September 2018

Members Encouraged to Sign Up to the People’s Vote Campaign

The Executive Committee of the Musicians’ Union (MU) has voted to back this campaign at its September meeting.

Published: 12 September 2018

House of Lords Sub-Committee Calls for Clarity on Free Movement Post-Brexit

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted that the House of Lords’ European Union Home Affairs Sub-Committee is calling for clarity on free movement post-Brexit in the cultural sector.

Published: 26 July 2018

Minister Meets With Musicians’ Union to Discuss Touring and Working in Europe post Brexit

Margot James MP, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries met with the Musicians’ Union (MU) to discuss issues around musicians travelling and working abroad post-Brexit.

Published: 14 June 2018

Five Musicians and a Music Fan Called Steve

Tens of thousands of musicians and music lovers have signed our petition calling on Government and Parliament to back free movement for musicians working in the EU. So many, in fact, that we can make a case for Brexit based solely on the experiences of five different Steves.

Published: 08 June 2018

Why Free Movement Matters

Brexit puts musicians’ ability to work in the EU – and earn an income from live performance – at risk. Take a look at some of the reasons why.

Published: 30 May 2018

Ask Your Political Representatives to Support Free Movement for Musicians Post-Brexit

Over 150 MPs, MSPs and Peers have committed to protecting musicians’ right to move freely and easily in the European Union (EU) after Brexit. But this is no time to get complacent.

Published: 21 May 2018

The Facts About LGBT+ Musician Rights and Brexit

The UK’s membership of the EU has strengthened protections for LGBT+ people in this country. Now Brexit is putting those hard-won rights at risk.

Published: 17 May 2018

Parents Support Free Movement for Musicians

It's not just musicians who have been signing the MU petition calling on Government and Parliament to support free movement for musicians post-Brexit. Those around them are making themselves heard too.

Published: 12 April 2018

Thangam Debbonaire MP: It is vital Brexit does not constrain the reach of musicians

Thangam Debbonaire MP for Bristol West, discusses her successful call for Margot James MP – the Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport – to meet with Musicians’ Union representatives and discuss their concerns over Brexit.

Published: 23 March 2018

Minister for Digital & Creative Industries Agrees to Meet Musicians' Union to Discuss Free Movement

On Thursday 22 March, Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries Margot James MP agreed to meet the Musicians' Union (MU) to discuss musicians' right to travel freely and easily in the European Union post-Brexit.

Published: 23 March 2018

Conservative MP Agrees to Raise Question in Parliament in Support of Musicians Working In The EU post-Brexit

In response to a tweet from the Musicians' Union (MU) highlighting the MU's pledge and petition, Conservative MP Nadine Dorries agreed to raise the issue of musicians' ability to travel freely and easily post-Brexit in Parliament.

Published: 23 March 2018

Is Brexit Affecting Your Work Already? We Want to Hear From You #WorkingInTheEU

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is fighting to protect free movement for musicians working in the European Union (EU) post-Brexit. We want to hear from you about how Brexit has affected your work plans for 2019 – touring, performing, teaching or studying in the European Union. #WorkingInTheEU

Published: 01 December 2017

Scottish Musicians Back MU Free Movement Campaign

The Proclaimers’ Craig and Charlie Reid, Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross, Idlewild’s Rod Jones, Hue and Cry’s Pat Kane and singer-songwriter Rab Noakes have signed the Musicians’ Union petition calling for free movement for musicians working in the European Union post-Brexit.

Published: 23 October 2017

Musicians' Union expresses dismay at European Union Youth Orchestra’s decision to leave London

The European Union Youth Orchestra is the second orchestra to announce it’s leaving the UK since the Brexit referendum last year, in part due to concerns over restricted freedom of movement for working musicians.

Published: 12 October 2017

Kevin Brennan MP supports free movement for musicians working in the EU

Sign the Petition for Free Movement for Musicians post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

Sign the #WorkingInTheEU petition to call on Government and Parliament to back free movement for musicians post-Brexit. It only takes a couple of minutes, and can make a really big difference to our campaign.

Published: 22 September 2017

Ask Your MP to Support Free Movement for Musicians Post Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

Over 100 MPs and Peers have signed the Musicicians’ Union (MU) pledge to protect musicians’ right to travel freely and easily in the EU. That’s great – but there’s still work to do. Take action now! #WorkingInTheEU

Published: 06 July 2017

Take Action for Free Movement in the EU post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is campaigning for musicians’ right to travel freely and easily in the European Union (EU).

Published: 12 June 2017

MPs & Peers: Please Support Musicians Working in the EU

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is calling on MPs to support musicians working in the EU – share the pledge! #WorkingInTheEU

Published: 02 June 2017

Westminster on a sunny day viewed through railings

Beginner’s Guide to Brexit at The Great Escape

Musicians’ Union (MU) Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl represented MU members at the Beginner’s Guide to Brexit panel at The Great Escape. Here are some of the highlights…

Published: 30 May 2017

1 in 3 BAME people have witnessed or experienced racist abuse since Brexit vote, finds TUC poll

1 in 3 BAME people have witnessed or experienced racist abuse since Brexit vote, finds TUC poll.

Published: 17 March 2017

MU fighting for musicians’ rights in the lead up to Brexit

As the Government now works towards Brexit, we would like to reassure members that we are doing everything in our power to protect musicians’ rights.

Published: 12 October 2016

MU Reacts to Vote to Leave European Union

We believe that the benefits of remaining for musicians were overwhelming and now have serious concerns about what the future holds for our members.

Published: 27 June 2016

MU position on Europe

The MU has reaffirmed its support for Britain remaining part of the European Union.

Published: 04 April 2016

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Brexit Deal Voted Down in Parliament for the Third Time

Musicians’ Union Welcomes Brexit Delay

Report Released Recommending that Government Must Act Now to Protect Music

Musicians’ Union Support for the People’s Vote March

Labour Party Backs a Second Referendum

Musicians' Union Welcomes Result of Vote on Withdrawal Agreement

Brexit: Where We Are Now

Britain’s Creative Industries Break the £100 Billion Barrier

Musicians' Union Reacts to Brexit Deal

Gigging and Touring Before the EU

MU Welcomes Labour Party Stance on Brexit

Concerned About Your Right to Work in the EU Post-Brexit? Ask Your MP & Devolved Representatives to Back Musicians

Musicians’ Union Calling for Touring Visa for Musicians Post-Brexit

Members Encouraged to Sign Up to the People’s Vote Campaign

House of Lords Sub-Committee Calls for Clarity on Free Movement Post-Brexit

Minister Meets With Musicians’ Union to Discuss Touring and Working in Europe post Brexit

Five Musicians and a Music Fan Called Steve

Why Free Movement Matters

Ask Your Political Representatives to Support Free Movement for Musicians Post-Brexit

The Facts About LGBT+ Musician Rights and Brexit

Parents Support Free Movement for Musicians

Thangam Debbonaire MP: It is vital Brexit does not constrain the reach of musicians

Minister for Digital & Creative Industries Agrees to Meet Musicians' Union to Discuss Free Movement

Conservative MP Agrees to Raise Question in Parliament in Support of Musicians Working In The EU post-Brexit

Is Brexit Affecting Your Work Already? We Want to Hear From You #WorkingInTheEU

Scottish Musicians Back MU Free Movement Campaign

Musicians' Union expresses dismay at European Union Youth Orchestra’s decision to leave London

Sign the Petition for Free Movement for Musicians post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

Ask Your MP to Support Free Movement for Musicians Post Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

Take Action for Free Movement in the EU post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

MPs & Peers: Please Support Musicians Working in the EU

Beginner’s Guide to Brexit at The Great Escape

1 in 3 BAME people have witnessed or experienced racist abuse since Brexit vote, finds TUC poll

MU fighting for musicians’ rights in the lead up to Brexit

MU Reacts to Vote to Leave European Union

MU position on Europe