Industry bodies press government on events sector support
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#EventsForTheFuture is a collaboration between the Association for British Theatre Technicians (ABTT), the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA), Production Services Association (PSA), the Society Of London Theatres (SOLT), and UK Theatre. The bodies, which together represent over 3,000 businesses and individuals, have issued a joint call to events and entertainment industry professionals asking them to write to their MPs to highlight the government support needed in order to safeguard the future of the sector.
“The overall aim is to ensure events and entertainment are protected in the long term," says a statement. "Providing consistent messaging to government and everyone getting involved highlights how large our sectors are collectively, along with the value they bring to the UK economy. One organisation can’t tackle this alone, which is why the initiative is asking the industry to come together to work on this.”
Bryan Raven, MD of WhiteLight Ltd. who coordinated the meetings, comments: “Through collective action, we believe we can get the voice of the industry heard. It has been great to see these associations working together on a common cause.”
The associations are initially asking anyone working in the industry to write to their local MP to campaign for further support from the government using sample letters available on the ABTT, PLASA, PSA and SOLT / UK Theatre websites. The letters should be customised before sending out to highlight an individual’s particular situation.
The main objectives for government support are to:
• Immediately make it clear to local authorities that, as part of the supply chain, the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure grant is open to this industry.
• Remove the £51,000 limit depending on regional variances - many companies are located in London or major cities and this blanket ceiling across the UK is unfair, the bodies say.
• Reduce the financial burden of running a business by offering other forms of recovery grants on cost of commercial rent, lease payments, insurance and business rates, tax breaks and request the banks to give longer mortgage holidays to businesses in our sector. The government needs to understand offering loans is not enough as there is no certainty.
• The Furlough Scheme, which has been an essential lifeline for us and all employers in our sector to retain highly skilled staff, should remain for companies in sectors where the recovery is in the longer term, such as the Events, Performing Arts, Entertainment Technology, TV & Film sectors.
• Extend the term of support for self-employed subcontractors. Our sector’s workforce is made up of 72% self-employed freelancers and without the right support, we are in danger of losing our workforce to other sectors, widening an already apparent skills gap.
The associations are also encouraging people to complete two government surveys: the Department of Culture Media and Sport’s (DCMS) call for evidence, and the DCMS' impact assessment.
