SCOTLAND's cultural scene could be hit by a decline in the involvement of international artists following Brexit, unless new visa laws are implemented, a new House of Lords study says.

Without new arrangements for the movement of people between the UK and the EU, this decline will be "to the detriment of the sector, and represent a significant loss to the audiences that enjoy seeing talent from across Europe performing in the UK", the EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee says.

"The UK may struggle to attract talent," a statement on behalf of the committee said.

Cultural leaders have already warned of the affects that Brexit could have on the arts world, especially if the ability to move rapidly between Europe and the UK is undermined.

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Last night Iain Munro, the new acting chief executive of Creative Scotland, the national arts funding organisation, said the body was concerned about the potential consequences of Brexit.

He said: "Working internationally is key to ensuring that Scotland remains a successful and distinctive creative nation connected to the world.

"We share the real concerns amongst the cultural community in Scotland as to the impact that leaving the EU will have on their work and the ability of artists to exchange ideas and practise.

"We have discussed these matters with the Scottish Government and in UK Government forums, and a broader debate on this issue is therefore welcome."

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The committee says that "the ability to move between the UK and EU at short notice is integral to the business model of many cultural sector organisations, which are often built on the services of consultants and freelance workers working on a project basis, or working on multiple projects at one time."

Lord Jay of Ewelme, chairman of the Committee, said: "Individuals working in the UK cultural sector are highly mobile, and have thrived on collaboration with people from all over the world.

"The country benefits enormously from the sector's contribution to its economy and society, and it makes an important contribution to the UK's international image and influence.

"If the Government is to achieve its wish to establish an immigration system that meets the needs of the post-Brexit economy, the UK's negotiators will need to be flexible.

"This means recognising that any restrictions on EU citizens wishing to enter the UK to work may be matched by reciprocal restrictions on UK workers in the EU."

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The report comes on the eve of the Edinburgh festival season, when many artists, writers, musicians, technicians and cultural workers arrive in the Scottish capital for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

The Fringe and the Edinburgh International Festival are currently permit-free festivals, which means that performers do not need to obtain work permits to appear, or apply for entry to the UK under its points system.

However, many performers still need visas to attend, depending on which country they come from.

A spokeswoman for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe said: "We are immensely proud of our permit free status and the open access platform that the Fringe provides for artists from across the globe.

"However, the Fringe Society has no jurisdiction over the visa process and is not an immigration authority.

"We will continue to work with the authorities in the UK to ensure that our international participants are informed about the immigration requirements and that the process is as smooth as possible."

In the report, the committee says that the UK Government consider two possible visa options "that would recognise the two-way benefits that accrue from allowing artists, entertainers and other cultural sector workers to move freely between the UK and EU."

One of these is extending the "permit free" festival arrangements to all EU citizens.

The other is "offering a multi-country, multi-entry short-term 'touring visa' for EU citizens, and seek a reciprocal commitment for UK citizens travelling to the EU."

The UK government’s recent White Paper acknowledges that "the UK and the EU will … need provisions that allow for mobility" to facilitate the proposed "cooperative accord" with the EU on culture and education.