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London (AP) - More than 100 music stars such as Elton John, Ed Sheeran and Sting have accused the British government of failing to negotiate visa rules for cultural workers after Brexit.
There is a huge gap in place of the promised freedom of movement, criticize the prominent artists in a letter that was published on Wednesday in the newspaper "The Times".
The costs for work permits, visas and other bureaucratic rules made tours unprofitable - especially for young musicians who would have difficulties anyway due to the corona pandemic.
Since January 1st, the end of the Brexit transition phase, musicians and artists need expensive visas to perform in Great Britain and the EU.
Britain and the EU blame each other for the situation.
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The letter was signed by Queen guitarist Brian May, Oasis singer Liam Gallagher, conductor Simon Rattle, composer Judith Weir, the Sex Pistols and The Who co-founder Roger Daltrey, among others.
"This failure to negotiate will plunge many artists into the abyss," says the letter.
The government must work for freedom of travel.
An online petition has so far collected more than 260,000 signatures.
The UK government stressed that it was ready for further negotiations.
State Secretary for Culture Caroline Dinenage said the EU had rejected a proposal.
Contrary to what some media reported, the international community has not made an offer of up to 90 days visa-free, said Dinenage of the PA news agency.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210120-99-96922 / 2
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"Times" report
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