APRIL | FEATURE
Dear Boris...
Mash Media, which
publishes Access has
written an urgent letter
to Government urging
financial support needed
for events industry.
Mash Media’s portfolio
of magazines have
collectively sent an open
letter to Prime Minister
Boris Johnson calling for
further financial support
for the events industry and
freelancers.
Dear Prime Minister,
We are writing to you to request further
financial assistance for the UK events industry at
this critical time. You will have seen the petition
calling for such assistance, which at the time of
writing stands at 110,000 signatories.
The events industry is worth £70bn to the UK
annually, and directly employs approximately
700,000 people. *
As the world faces an unprecedented
health emergency in the face of Covid-19, the
events industry is all too aware of its social
responsibilities, and largely accepts the temporary
suspension of mass gatherings is an inevitable
measure in the public’s interest.
The events industry is united in the view that
the health and safety of the public is the number
one priority, and that all reasonable measures
should be taken to preserve life. However, the
industry at large will be expected to shut down
almost in its entirety for an as-yet unspecified
duration, putting many out of business and many
more out of work.
As the leading trade press publisher dedicated
solely to serving the events industry, we are calling
for the industry to have access to:
Emergency funding and easing of tax
obligations for venues and organisers of events
impacted by the outbreak of Covid-19 to cover
costs of affected suppliers and daily operations
(such as staff salaries) during a period of no
income;
The postponement of the introduction of the
changes to the IR35 legislation to make it easier
for the thousands of freelance events professionals
currently not working.
The events industry has struggled with a clear
identity in the face of both the government and
the public for a number of years. The perception
that the events ‘industry’ only serves festivals and
weddings is incorrect. Meetings, incentive travel,
conferences and exhibitions (MICE) are all crucial
in supporting other industries.
When the nation emerges from this crisis, it
is clear that all industrial sectors will need to
rebuild their confidence. Events will be a major
facilitator of this and are a critical component
in the rebuilding of both regional and national
economies. We dare not lose this expertise and
capacity.
We are asking for help so that there will be
skilled events personnel and a fully functioning
supply chain there on the other side when we
need it. We will work in solidarity with all events
industry trade associations to ensure you have all
the information required to mitigate this crisis.
You can surely count on our industry’s support
in that endeavour. It is full of people used to crisis
management.
We note also creative programmes of
emergency state support have been announced by
the European Union, Denmark and Australia in
the past couple of days, recognising that the events
industry is something to be protected with great
care.
Yours faithfully,
Martin Fullard
*Source: Business Visits and Events Partnership
(figures accepted by the Department for Culture,
Media and Sport and the All Party Parliamentary
Group for Events).
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