David Frost admits that the Brexit deal presents “a whole set of problems” for touring musicians

nme.com:

Brexit minister David Frost has admitted that the Brexit deal he helped negotiate presents “a whole set of problems” for touring musicians and their crew.The deal was on the receiving end of a huge backlash from across the music industry last year.

The UK government has been accused of jeopardising the future of touring for UK artists due to their failure to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew, which could make future tours of the continent unaffordable for many artists.Lord Frost, who was Chief Negotiator of Task Force Europe from January 2020 until he handed in his resignation back in December, was among the chief defenders of the deal, saying in June that he “felt sorry that [creative workers] have to face this situation”.“The country took a decision to leave the European Union and to end freedom of movement, but that brings with it big change,” he told MPs. “There’s no point in pretending that change hasn’t happened.”Lord Frost has now admitted, however, that it was a mistake not to compromise with the EU over the issue during the Brexit negotiations.“We should take another look at mobility issues,” he said during a recent lecture (via The Independent). “There is a whole set of problems here that is making life difficult on both sides: youth mobility, movement of specialists like musicians and artists.”Lord Frost went on to argue that “these problems can be solved” without compromising the UK’s decision to end free movement of EU citizens, despite government ministers repeatedly insisting that this is not possible.Frost added that he had been “too purist” about the issue, and said that a fresh deal that removes “excessive paperwork and process requirements” is required.“We.