All News and Features

Section
Content type
Campaigns
Region or Nation
Interests
Careers
Equality, diversity & inclusion

Search for News

View

Displaying 1 - 40 of 48 results

Sort by

Person stood at the edge of railway platform with guitar in case, holding a passport.

Musicians Working Overseas: An Update on Brexit and New Resources

MU Head of International Dave Webster updates members on news and report findings surrounding musicians and Brexit, new MU resources and a roundup of recent and upcoming panels, events and showcases he has attended to help promote the MU and its work overseas.

Published: 27 September 2023

Government Post-Brexit Bill Threatens Musicians’ Rights – Write to your MP and Ask Them to Vote Against

A Bill coming back to Parliament next week puts legislation on workers’ rights and copyright at risk.

Published: 13 January 2023

Woman with guitar in case, over her shoulder, at the railway station.

Taking Action - Our Update on Brexit for Musicians

The MU has been closely involved in the compiling of two comprehensive reports outlining the difficulties musicians and the creative industries as a whole are having in the post Brexit age.

Published: 19 October 2022

Naomi Pohl with other General Secretaries on the front line of the We Demand Better march with banner.

Music Education, Brexit and the Cost of Living Crisis: an Update From the General Secretary

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at the union’s policy priorities and industrial strategy this autumn.

Published: 15 September 2022

3D graphic map of the UK and rest of Europe. UK and EU flag designs are over each area and 3D trucks wait at each side of the crossing showing the difficulty transporting goods.

Brexit Update and New Head of International Role at The MU

Dave Webster, former National Organiser for Live Performance has recently been appointed as Head of International at the MU. Here he brings members an update on our work to address the impact of Brexit for musicians.

Published: 15 July 2022

Windscreen drivers view of a touring van, an open road and greenery are ahead.

Navigating Tours in Ireland and Europe post Brexit and Covid: A Case Study

In this insightful case study, MU member Sarah McQuaid outlines the extensive process she has gone through prior to touring in Ireland and Europe.

Published: 20 June 2022

Grey skys over westminister bridge, with the houses of parliament and big ben in view in the background.

Brexit Lobbying Update

An update following the debate held in Westminster Hall on enabling visa and work permit free travel for musicians in the EU, with renewed calls from MPs for the Government to sort out remaining issues for musicians.

Published: 23 November 2021

MU Writes to New DCMS Secretary of State Highlighting Impacts of Brexit and Covid-19

The Musicians’ Union has written to the new Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nadine Dorries MP, highlighting ongoing challenges MU members are facing.

Published: 16 September 2021

Trades Union Congress House in black and white

MU Motions on Fixing Streaming, Brexit Touring Issues, and Equalities Passed at TUC Conference 2021

Delegates from across the trade union movement support the MU’s calls for fairer streaming, easier EU touring, and women’s rights at TUC’s 2021 Conference.

Published: 14 September 2021

Photograph of a number of travel crates ready to pack concert equipment in for a tour.

Piping Centre to Give Free Talk on Post-Brexit Working for Musicians

The National Piping Centre in Scotland will be running a free online-workshop, explaining the new Brexit requirements, on Wednesday 11 August at 2:00 pm.

Published: 30 July 2021

Photograph of the clock face of Big Ben against a stormy looking pink and grey sky.

Brexit Lobbying Update: A Session Characterised by Tension

In this Brexit update we discuss Lord Frost’s first appearance at the DCMS Select Committee, and our plans for moving forward.

Published: 30 June 2021

Photograph of a guitarist performing on stage, they are sillhouted against a pink light in the background.

New Brexit Campaign #LetTheMusicMove Launches

A new campaign launched by #LetTheMusicMove brought widespread social media action from artists, music professionals and fans across the UK on Wednesday 23 June.

Published: 24 June 2021

Photograph of an empty stage in a jazz bar. Unattended instruments are set up, a double bass, a piano and a drum kit.

Survey Reveals Brexit Paperwork is a ‘Complete Nightmare’ For Musicians

According to the results from our new joint survey with the ISM, 77% of musicians expect their earnings in Europe to decrease due to new documents and fees.

Published: 25 May 2021

Photograph of Big Ben, a below photo showing just the clock face angled against a cloudy sky.

Lobbying Update: Using Our Brexit Survey Issues to Press for Change

In this lobbying update, MU Head of Communications and Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez discusses how we will be using the results from our Brexit survey when it closes next week, and other actions in Parliament.

Published: 29 April 2021

Black and white photo of a row of large your busses at a stand still.

Brexit Testimonies: “I Desperately Need Some Resolution to This Problem”

Together with the ISM, we have compiled testimonies from a number of musicians, detailing the immediate impact of Brexit – here is one such account from the violinist Catherine Manson.

Published: 15 April 2021

Two UK passports back to back, one is the old style EU red passport, the other is the newer blue passport.

Brexit Guidance Video Released Following Panel Event

We’ve released a recording of our panel event, “What’s the deal?” which focused on process, lobbying, sales/merchandise rules and more for musicians working in the EU.

Published: 09 April 2021

Photograph of a row of different brightly coloured t-shirts.

We’ve Updated Our Brexit Flow Chart With More Information

We have updated the MU – 'Flowchart Guide to Working In Europe', created to give members a better understanding of the hoops they have to jump through when planning a tour or shows in the EU.

Published: 01 April 2021

Sun sets over the port of Dover with a beautiful orange, yellow and pink sky - there are white cliffs and lorries parked everywhere.

Prime Minister Promises to Fix Brexit Crisis for Creative Industries

Yesterday, the Prime Minister gave evidence to MPs and said the Government was working “flat out” to find a solution to mobility issues around visas, work permits and moving goods between the UK and EU.

Published: 25 March 2021

Photograph of a van being loaded with crates of musical equipment.

Brexit Update: Continued Pressure is Making an Impact

In our latest Brexit update, we discuss how the urgent challenges facing musicians can only be immediately solved if the UK Government negotiates a bespoke visa waiver agreement with the EU for the creative sector, and what is being done right now to put the pressure on them.

Published: 12 March 2021

Photograph of a violin contained in a travel case. The travel case is resting open in the photo with the violn visiable.

Amended Brexit Guidance for Musicians with Portable Musical Instruments

It has been confirmed today by DCMS Minister Caroline Dinenage MP that musicians travelling into and around the EU with portable musical instruments are not required to obtain a Carnet.

Published: 16 February 2021

Photograph of a miniature placard held up at a protest, it reads

Evidence on Challenges Musicians Face as a Result of the Brexit Deal Presented to House of Lords

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge spoke to members of the House of Lords about the challenges facing musicians working in the EU as a result of the Brexit Deal.

Published: 25 January 2021

Photograph of a confusing sign post, arrows indicating the same thing are pointing in different directions.

Lobbying Update: Another Week, Another Brexit Argument

In this week’s lobbying update, find out more about how issues for touring musicians were covered in yesterday’s debate in parliament and what the MU intends to focus on moving forward.

Published: 20 January 2021

Photograph of the Palace of Westminster under a cold blue January sky.

Lobbying Update: A Busy Week on the Brexit Front

In our latest lobbying update, we discuss Brexit – from a lack of clarity over who is responsible for there not being a work permit exemption, to the PM being quizzed on touring in the EU during PMQs.

Published: 15 January 2021

Brexit Deal Voted Through in Parliament

There continues to be no clarity for musicians in the Brexit deal, which has now been voted on in parliament and passed.

Published: 30 December 2020

Photograph of two very small placards held up at a march, they read

Brexit Deal Contains No Detail for Musicians

The Government has now agreed a Brexit deal with Europe and will bring it back to Parliament on Wednesday for MPs to vote on.

Published: 28 December 2020

Photograph of a violin in a travel case.

Brexit Details for Touring Musicians Unlikely Before End of Transition Period

Even if a Brexit deal is agreed before the transition period ends on Thursday 31 December, it is likely to only give basic essentials, with the potential for further detail.

Published: 21 December 2020

The Levaré Quartet: a String Quartet Thriving on Diversity in Post-Brexit Britain

Diversity and spontaneity define the music of the Levaré Quartet, an international ensemble formed by students at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Published: 23 November 2020

An Open Letter on the Threat of Brexit to Creative Working Opportunities

The MU, Equity and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain have urged the Government to come forward with guidance and to stand up for creatives at the ongoing negotiations.

Published: 28 October 2020

Photograph of a large gathering of people at a protest, one hand is holding up a miniature placard which reads

Brexit – where are we now?

Brexit is back on the agenda in Parliament this week as the Government brought in new legislation, in the form of the Internal Market Bill. What does this mean for you? MU Head of Communications and Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez takes a look.

Published: 18 September 2020

Photograph of sign held up at protest reading

The Fight to Protect Musicians’ Rights Continues Beyond Brexit Day

The UK is out of the European Union as of Friday 31 January. But the fight to protect musicians working in the EU is far from over. More than ever, the campaign for the Musicians’ Passport needs your support.

Published: 31 January 2020

6 MPs on Working in the EU post-Brexit and the Musicians’ Passport

The MU is fighting for a Musicians’ Passport so that you can keep working in the EU post-Brexit. And it looks like the message is getting through.

Published: 27 January 2020

New Brexit Deal Does Nothing for Musicians says MU

New Brexit Deal published today (Thursday 17 October) does not deal with issues for musicians which have been pointed out by the MU and others.

Published: 17 October 2019

Photograph of an empty stage set up for a band to play.

What Might a No Deal Brexit Mean for Musicians?

In this blog, Assistant General Secretary Phil Kear discusses what the DCMS’s newly published advice implies for British musicians in the event of a no deal Brexit.

Published: 04 October 2019

Photograph of miniature placard at a march reading

Attempt to Stop a ‘No Deal’ Brexit Supported by the MU

Staying in the European Union is still the best option for musicians. The MU supports Parliament’s attempts to stop a ‘No Deal’ Brexit, and calls for a People’s Vote.

Published: 04 September 2019

Brexit Extended for up to Six Months

Following talks between European Union leaders and Prime Minister Theresa May, Brexit has been extended for up to six months.

Published: 11 April 2019

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

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

Brexit and the Future of Copyright Protection

If you work in the music industry, you need to understand copyright. Put simply, copyright enables musicians and creators to protect and make money from their work. Without it, musicians would not be able to get their music out there and make a living.

Published: 05 November 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

Displaying 1 - 40 of 48 results Page 1 of 2

1 2 Next

Keep up to date with all of our news via our News RSS feed

Cookies on Musicians' Union

Use your voice

Popular searches