“Funding, free movement, and, fundamentally, opportunities, have been removed from young musicians in Scotland as a result.” – Emma Roddick SNP MSP Highlands and Islands
When the UK left the EU it not only left the world’s largest free trade market therefore impacting negatively on Scotland’s access to trade freely with 27 countries, but it also meant that Scots lost the right to free movement of travel.
Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU but as part of the UK it is bound by decisions taken by the Parliament in London. The impact of leaving the EU – commonly known as Brexit – has affected prices, which have risen, not just in foodstuffs, but it includes a whole range of materials that might not seem so obvious at first, like medicines for people and animals.
Emma Roddick, the SNP Highlands and Islands MSP, has raised the issue of the harm Brexit has done to young people in the Islands from being able to take up roles in the arts.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, she said:
“Scotland voted overwhelmingly to stay in the EU, but was dragged out by decisions made in England by a government we also didn’t vote for.
“Funding, free movement, and, fundamentally, opportunities, have been removed from young musicians in Scotland as a result.
“Musicians in Orkney have long punched above their weight, achieving incredible things and proving popular across the world. It is such a shame to hear that young people may now be avoiding taking on musical education because they can already see the impact of Brexit: doors have been closed on them and the sector has been torn apart.
“We continue to offer free music tuition in Scotland, and I have pressed the Scottish Government to continue to support young people in the arts as much as possible within our constraints – this is an important piece of Scottish culture we simply cannot afford to lose.”