Member News
Lord Clement-Jones writes for ePolitix.com ahead of his oral question in the House of Lords on the impact the points-based visa system is having on non-European Union artists and academics wanting to carry out bona fide activities but being denied entry to the UK.
A recent report by the Manifesto Club, 'Cancelled by order of the Home Office', sets out an appalling catalogue of the damage done to Britain's reputation as a centre for international arts as a result of the Home Office's points-based system introduced in November 2008.
These affect international artists and academics who visit the UK for a variety of cultural and academic activities.
Leading artists such as Anthony Gormley and Jeremy Deller and the directors of the National Theatre and National Portrait Gallery have written about the damage done.
The case studies included in the comprehensive Manifesto Club report include cancellations of high profile concerts by Grigory Sokolov, the cancellation of a visit from the Iranian film maker Abbas Kiarostami, the closure of the Swansea-based Ballet Russe – whose dancers were unable to get visas and the case of Canadian singer Allison Crowe, who was detained at Gatwick then deported and told that she would not be able to perform in the UK again.
The new points-based system requires artists and academics to demonstrate that they have £800 n savings and requires monitoring by 'sponsors' of the artists and academics involved, which means that they are responsible for monitoring to ensure that the artists and academics do not abscond during their visit. Biometric data is required, yet biometric equipment may not be available in particular countries.
As a result of the new visa arrangements, over 20 major events have been cancelled or badly affected. As the Manifesto Club says, these new regulations will do little to stop terrorists, but they do hamper UK arts organisations and academic institutions in their important work of cultural and academic exchange.
On December 15, I am raising the matter in the Lords with the government. The UK Borders Agency seems to have taken little notice of representations by these organisations and it is vital that all those affected by the new visa restrictions continue to campaign vigorously until we change the system to one that no longer damages UK arts and cultural exchange.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd
chris smallwood
16th Jan 2010 at 7:36 pm