Member support from PLASA
Free business helpline
Unlimited business support from Quest, such as 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
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.
Guidance documents
PLASA has published guidance on Considerations on Returning to Work which provides a summary of what businesses may need to consider when re-opening.
PLASA has also 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 voice of the live events supply chain. Find out more
PLASA infographics
To help government understand the issues facing our industry, we produced two infographics:
Survey reports
Government support for UK businesses
Culture Recovery Fund 3: Emergency Resource Support: The third and final CRF is offering grants between £25,000 and £3 million for organisations that were financially sustainable before Covid-19 but are now at imminent risk of failure and have exhausted all other options. The deadline is 30 September.
If you had CRF funding in Rounds 1 or 2 but are not at risk of imminent collapse, you will be able to apply for the Cultural Recovery Fund: Continuity Support programme which will be launched later this summer.
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. We urge you to contact your local authority to find out more.
The Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) gives access to finance of up to £10million for businesses recovering from the pandemic.
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.
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.
Further information from the UK Government
- The Government’s latest Covid-19 response provides guidance on the re-opening plan for Summer 2021
- GOV.UK provides more information on all of the above.
- The Business Support Finder Tool is a quick and easy way to find out what financial support is available for your business.
- Government webinars are free to watch, and videos are being added on a regular basis.
Free business advice from 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: 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 fifth SEISS grant has finally arrived. If you’re eligible, HMRC will contact you during July to tell you when you can make your claim. In the meantime, we recommend you read the following Government resources to help you understand your eligibility:
- Check if you can claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
- Work out your turnover so you can claim the fifth SEISS grant
- How your trading conditions affect your eligibility for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
- How your circumstances affect eligibility for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
- How HMRC works out trading profits and non-trading income for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
- Claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
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. Recipients will receive a £20 per week uplift until the end of September 2021.
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 could 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.
North 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.