Houses of Parliament

Brexit and creative workers

WGGB is very concerned about future visa and other restrictions for creative workers working in Europe post-Brexit. We have an event in Parliament on 4 February 2020 and want members to invite their local MP along. Please use the template letter below to contact them. if you have any questions contact Lesley Gannon on lesley@writersguild.org.uk

You can find your local MP and email here.

Template Letter

Dear [Name of MP],

Getting the best deal for creative workers

Congratulations on your recent election. I am a constituent and a member of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB). I am writing to ask you to attend an event in Parliament to brief MPs and Peers about the effect of Brexit on the creative workforce.

The creative industries are hugely important to our economy, growing at twice the rate of the economy and growing jobs at three times the rate of the UK workforce.

The sector is facing a number of challenges from Brexit, from funding to the mobility of the workforce.

I am very concerned about future visa and other restrictions on the ability of creative workers to continue to tour and work easily in Europe on very short-term projects (such as performances and shoots) post-Brexit. This work is vital to making a living in the sector. The trade unions of the Performers Alliance (the Musicians’ Union, Equity and WGGB) as well as those across the sector are calling for a reciprocal two-year creative visa or ‘passport’ to be negotiated with the EU as part of our future relationship, that would cover all EU countries, be free or at least affordable, and would annul the need for carnets and other permits. Without such an agreement, many creative workers will be unable to sustain a living in the sector.

I would be very grateful if you were able to come along to a Parliamentary drop-in, hosted by the Performers’ Alliance All-Party Parliamentary Group, to find out more about our concerns. This is taking place on Tuesday 4 February, from 12-2pm, in the Jubilee Room.

For further information or if you can attend this drop-in, please email Chloe Alexander (Performers’ Alliance APPG Coordinator) at performersallianceappg@outlook.com

Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

[Full name and address]

Photo: Shutterstock.com

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