Member support from PLASA
Free business helpline
As part of your membership, you have unlimited access to business support from Quest, both Legal and HR advice. You can phone Quest directly on 0116 243 7588 or log into your online portal here. (Please contact us at membership@plasa.org if you don’t have your login details).
Free HR and employment law service
We have arranged one hour of one-to-one time with Nicky Gleadow, Managing Director for The HR Point. To use this please phone 01903 783584 or email plasa@thehrpoint.co.uk.
Health & Safety documents
PLASA has collated most of the known Health & Safety documents produced by the industry and the government addressing work safety in the new Covid-19 era.
Industry surveys and initiatives
#WeMakeEvents campaign
Join the collective effort to amplify the industry’s voice until live events and entertainment can return.
PLASA infographics
To help government understand the issues facing our industry, we produced two infographics:
Survey reports
Government support for UK businesses
The Furlough Scheme has been extended to the end of September. During this time furloughed employees will continue to receive 80% of their current salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month. Employers to be asked to contribute 10% of wages in July followed by 20% in August and September
Additional Restriction Grants (ARG) provide support for closed businesses that do not directly pay business rates and businesses that do not have to close but are impacted. Government specifies: “This could include businesses which supply the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors, or businesses in the events sector.” The DCMS has confirmed that the recent ARG top-up is still open to events businesses so we urge you to contact your local authority to find out more. Furthermore, some PLASA members have reported success by contacting their local authority SME growth manager.
The Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) has been set up to ensure UK businesess can access finance up to £10million as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. This scheme launched on 6 April 2021 and will initially only be available through lenders accredited by the British Business Bank.
The SME Brexit Support Fund has been set up to help small and medium businesses with training or professional advice. You could receive up to £2,000 if your business has up to 500 employees and no more than £100 million annual turnover.
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding for businesses who create six-month work placements for who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.
The New VAT Deferral Payment Scheme is open until 21 June 2021. If you’re on either the VAT Annual Accounting Scheme or the VAT Payment on Account Scheme, this new scheme allows you pay your deferred VAT in interest-free instalments up to 11 months.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) can be reclaimed by small and medium businesses for paid Covid-19 related absences for up to two weeks without the need of a GP fit note.
Off-payroll working rules (IR35) have come back into play from 6 April 2021. ir35 aims to ensure that contracted workers pay approximately the same Income Tax and National Insurance as employees. To help you understand the new rules, HMRC are offering online webinars, workshops and educational calls.
- GOV.UK provides more information on all of the above.
- Budget 2021: What you need to know
- The Business Support Finder Tool is a quick and easy way to find out what financial support is available for your business.
Free advice for businesses and the self-employed via the Government Business Support Helpline:
- England: 0300 456 3565
- Wales: 0300 060 3000
- Northern Ireland: 0800 181 4422
Support with tax
HMRC has a set up a phone helpline to help support people through the Covid crisis. The helpline number is: 0800 0159 559. Experienced call handlers are available to discuss your specific circumstances to explore:
- Agreeing an instalment arrangement
- Suspending debt collection proceedings
- Cancelling penalties and interest where you have administrative difficulties contacting or paying HMRC immediately
If you owe Self Assessment tax and your bill is less than £30,000 you may be able to pay in monthly instalments up to 12 months.
Government support for UK self-employed and individuals
Coronavirus Self-employed Income Support Scheme
The Coronavirus Self-employed Income Support Scheme is now offering a fourth grant to cover 80% of lost trading profits up to £7,500. There will be a fifth grant from May to September. The eligibility criteria have been widened to include newly self-employed people who filed their tax returns for 2019-20 by midnight on 2 March.
- The Government Business Support website provides more information
- What to do if you’re self-employed and getting less work or no work
Universal Credit
You can apply for Universal Credit if you need help with costs like children or housing. Payments are calculated based on your earnings from self-employment and/or employment. Announced in the Budget, rcipients will continue to receive a £20 per week uplift until the end of September.
Other benefits
If you’re unable to work due to ill health you might be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance. And for those who claim the Working Tax Credit, you will receive a £500 one-off payment.
Free online training
The Department of Education created The Skills Toolkit, a growing directory of free online courses in numeracy and digital skills from recognised organisations such as the Open University, Google, FutureLearn and Cisco Networking Academy.
Other resources
Support for Europe and international
Europe
The European Commission coronavirus resources detail the latest developments and news.
Your Europe has created a map so you can learn more about finance options across the continent.
The Enterprise Europe Network is helping SMEs navigate the Covid-19 crisis, providing information about regional, national and European measures.
PEARLE, Live Performance Europe, has created a map of how live events are planning to re-open in various countries across Europe.
America
PLASA owned magazine Lighting and Sound America has published a comprehensive coronavirus resource page for American businesses and individuals.
Support for the events and entertainment sector
Events Industry Forum
- The Events Industry Forum has published an update to the COVID-19 outdoor events guidance, produced in association with DCMS.
PLASA
- Our Connect to Wellbeing page signposts to mental heath support from across the industry.
Light & Sound International (LSi)
- LSi have compiled a comprehensive live list of news, resources and offers in relation to Covid-19.
#WeMakeEvents
- The campaign website has collated a list of industry funds and mental health support.
Society of London Theatre (SOLT) & UK Theatre
- A collaborative project to signpost theatre professionals to a range of mental health and financial support.
The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT)
- ABTT have compiled another comprehensive list of community initiatives, free training and online events.
Freelancers Make Theatre Work
- A collective voice to advocate for the UK freelance theatre workforce.
Music Industry Therapist Collective
- The MITC has a free downloadable guide to anxiety relief and self-isolation.