Access All Areas April 2020 | Page 6

A call for your virtual events This month’s catch up… Read more and keep up to date by visiting: Globe-Africa accessaa.co.uk  @access_aa twitter-square @access_aa As the majority of people are now working at home, and with no live events able to run, the events industry continues to demonstrate its creativity to keep content rolling. As the industry remains mothballed, it is the ideal time to develop knowledge. A number of events businesses are hosting virtual events which aim to educate across a range of topics, from event-centric ideas to the realities of running a business in these testing times. We will be collating as many details of these events as possible over the next few days and publishing them weekly throughout this crisis. If you are running a virtual event open to the industry and would like to share details of it, please email Martin Fullard on mfullard@ mashmedia.net. Thousands sign petition for Government support More than 15,000 eventprofs have signed a petition to government, asking for economic assistance to the events industry during COVID-19. The petition reads: “The UK events industry is facing an unprecedented challenge as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the events that have been cancelled as a result. “The industry is worth [£70bn] to the economy, with 25,000 businesses supporting over [700,000] employees—all of whom are nervous about whether their next event will go ahead or not, and how their income may be affected. “I’d like the government to provide support to business & individuals struggling at this critical time.” The petition has already passed the 10,000 signature mark, meaning it will get a response from government. If it passes the 100,000 signatures mark, it will be considered for debate in Parliament. https://petition.parliament.uk/ petitions/301186 06 HRMC issues tax advice The HMRC has set up a helpline to support small businesses who will struggle to pay tax due to coronavirus (COVID-19). The helpline allows any business or self-employed individual who are concerned about paying their tax due to coronavirus to get help and advice. For those who are unable to pay due to coronavirus (or think they may struggle in the near future), HMRC will discuss a range of options including: • agreeing an instalment arrangement • suspending debt collection proceedings • cancelling penalties and interest where you have administrative difficulties contacting or paying HMRC immediately The helpline number is 0800 0159 55 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday 8am to 4pm). See below for further details following budget 2020 and support for those affected by COVID-19