UK Music chief executive Michael Dugher has warned that government ‘uncertainty and lack of clarity’ over Brexit could damage Britain’s £4bn music industry.
He called on ministers to agree a deal by the end of the year for a transition period after the UK leaves the European Union in 2019, which would minimise disruption to the industry and avoid a ‘cliff-edge’ Brexit.
In an article for HuffPost today (Friday), he said: ‘The Mercury Awards has once again showcased the incredible talent and diversity that is British music at its best.
‘The voracious appetite for British music around the world has never been greater and has pushed our exports up 11 percent to a new high of £365m last year, according to recent figures from the BPI.’
Dugher warned it was crucial that the government moved swiftly to safeguard the industry and the tens of thousands of jobs it sustains, as well as the sector’s thriving export trade.
He added: ‘It's true that leaving the EU may open the door to new trade deals and could unlock barriers in established markets like the US.
‘But the current uncertainty and lack of clarity about the government’s Brexit plans threatens our success. It means some investment opportunities are on hold and long-term planning is seriously hampered.
‘That's why it was welcome that the Conservative government and the Labour opposition are now talking of a post-Brexit transition period that will entail interim arrangements to help business adjust to what is likely to be a seismic set of changes.
‘The government must now prioritise achieving an agreement on a transitionary period by the end of this year to provide a degree of certainty.
‘To give that much-needed clarity, the government must also commit to continued membership of the Single Market as part of any transitionary period. This would avoid a cliff-edge Brexit and allow individuals and businesses to stagger any changes in operations.’
Dugher also called on the government to seek a single EU-wide live music 'touring passport' to avoid new restrictions, costs and bureaucracy on artists and musicians.
He added: “As EU negotiator Michel Barnier said, the clock is well and truly ticking on the countdown to Brexit Day on 29 March 2019. Brexit represents a huge potential threat to the British music industry. We can't afford to mess this up.’
He called on ministers to agree a deal by the end of the year for a transition period after the UK leaves the European Union in 2019, which would minimise disruption to the industry and avoid a ‘cliff-edge’ Brexit.
In an article for HuffPost today (Friday), he said: ‘The Mercury Awards has once again showcased the incredible talent and diversity that is British music at its best.
‘The voracious appetite for British music around the world has never been greater and has pushed our exports up 11 percent to a new high of £365m last year, according to recent figures from the BPI.’
Dugher warned it was crucial that the government moved swiftly to safeguard the industry and the tens of thousands of jobs it sustains, as well as the sector’s thriving export trade.
He added: ‘It's true that leaving the EU may open the door to new trade deals and could unlock barriers in established markets like the US.
‘But the current uncertainty and lack of clarity about the government’s Brexit plans threatens our success. It means some investment opportunities are on hold and long-term planning is seriously hampered.
‘That's why it was welcome that the Conservative government and the Labour opposition are now talking of a post-Brexit transition period that will entail interim arrangements to help business adjust to what is likely to be a seismic set of changes.
‘The government must now prioritise achieving an agreement on a transitionary period by the end of this year to provide a degree of certainty.
‘To give that much-needed clarity, the government must also commit to continued membership of the Single Market as part of any transitionary period. This would avoid a cliff-edge Brexit and allow individuals and businesses to stagger any changes in operations.’
Dugher also called on the government to seek a single EU-wide live music 'touring passport' to avoid new restrictions, costs and bureaucracy on artists and musicians.
He added: “As EU negotiator Michel Barnier said, the clock is well and truly ticking on the countdown to Brexit Day on 29 March 2019. Brexit represents a huge potential threat to the British music industry. We can't afford to mess this up.’
