Lord Black introduced a short debate in the House of Lords on 11th March to highlight the destructive impact on the UK's music and performing arts students of the new visa and work permit requirements arising from the EU Withdrawal Agreement.

Guy said that all members of the House "are aware of the damage to the creative economy from the new requirements for EU touring, with jobs lost and tours cancelled, but perhaps hardest hit are students in music and the performing arts." He pointed out that "students need to perform in Europe to progress their careers and enrich their education, but now cannot because the cost of work permits and the bureaucracy of multiple visa applications are prohibitive."

He said that it was "essential to reach bilateral agreements on work permits with member states" and called on the Government to make urgent progress toward that goal "if we are not to blight a generation of students."

In replying for the Government, Baroness Barran said she "absolutely agreed" on the importance of touring for students.

The full debate - which also covered the position of teachers, the loss of the Erasmus scheme and the need for a visa waiver agreement with the EU - is here.

ENDS