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Written question asked by Earl of Clancarty (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 4 February 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 February 2020. It was answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 February 2020 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Visas: EU Countries

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by the Lord Privy Seal on 3 February (HLWS83), whether "short-term business trips to supply services" will apply to (1) the creative industries, and (2) IT services.

Answer

We are ending free movement of people. However, we still want to support our businesses in moving their talented people to provide services in both the UK and the EU, as quickly and as easily as possible.

The UK’s creative and digital industries comprise around 20% of the UK’s total exports in services and have grown rapidly in recent years. DCMS has engaged extensively with union bodies, artists and cultural organisations to help understand the needs of the creative and cultural sector, including freelancers who make up a significant proportion of people in these sectors.

As set out in the Political Declaration, both the EU and the UK will aim to provide for visa-free travel for short-term visits, and agree provisions on temporary entry and stay of natural persons, allowing businesses to move their talented employees and provide services.

The scope and detail of this will be subject to negotiations with the EU.

During the Transition period, until the end of 2020, there will be no changes to rules to provide services or work temporarily in the EU and UK Nationals can continue to travel to the EU as now.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1316
Session
2019-21
Related items
UK / EU Relations
Monday, 3 February 2020
Written statements
House of Lords
Subjects
Business Arts EU countries ICT Overseas visitors Visas
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk