Published
Fri, May 6, 2022, 19:02
- New rules for specialist hauliers will ensure British talent can tour more freely between the UK and abroad.
A new dual registration policy will enable British specialist hauliers, responsible for transporting equipment for concert tours and other cultural events, to travel freely between the UK and the EU.
Since Brexit, these hauliers have been limited to three European stops per tour, the UK government said. The new measure, designed in consultation with the live music, performing arts and sports sectors, is expected to come into effect in late summer 2022. The laws will apply to haulage companies with a base in the UK and another abroad, according to the Department for Transport.
The change has been cautiously welcomed by industry experts, who also said it didn't solve the problem for everyone.
In an attempt to circumvent the previous laws, larger haulage companies opened new branches in Europe with European registered trucks and European licensed drivers. Without the same resources, smaller companies were forced to limit UK tours to a few stops.
Wob Roberts, production manager for Duran Duran and Sam Smith, told the BBC that the new rules "will help UK-based tours keep going. But the problem is the smaller operations that couldn't afford to set up a European arm are still going to be facing the same issues."