MARCH | AGENDA
“ We have been down this road before ; the festival industry in 2001 was ground to a halt by foot-and-mouth disease . We just can ’ t ever be this vulnerable again . We need to be able to move this forward .”
Industry reacts to Budget 2021
On 3 March , chancellor Rishi Sunak during the 2021 sales cycle : “ For announced a series of measures that many AIF members , this is the first have been welcomed by the events period in which they are selling tickets industry , but festival organisers and since the onset of the pandemic .” representative organisations have Reed reiterated the importance of been left frustrated by no mention a Government-backed cancellation of an insurance scheme similar to insurance scheme , without which its restart scheme for film and TV AIF research has shown , 92.5 % of its productions . members cannot stage events .
He said the 5 % reduced rate of VAT National Outdoor Events on ticket sales would be extended for Association president Tom Clements six months to 30 September . It will be also welcomed the furlough extension followed by an interim rate of 12.5 % but said the association and its for a further six months . members have considerable concerns Sunak announced an extension of about the lack of event industryspecific measures in the Budget . the furlough and SEISS schemes until the end of September , and promised He said , “ Events businesses a further 600,000 self-employed are not able to gain rate relief , as people would be eligible for help . we are not seen as the same as
He promised to invest further hospitality ; equally the new restart in the Culture Recovery Fund loan that was mentioned will not ( CRF ), including £ 300m to support be underwritten for our industry , spectator sport events operators . and we have seen grants for other Corporation Tax will rise from 19 % sectors of industry that are also to 25 % in April 2023 but the rate will not available to our own . Even the be frozen for companies with profits furlough scheme extension will under £ 50,000 . not support those events that have
The chancellor also revealed plans already had to cancel this year and to extend business rates relief to the won ’ t be receiving any income until end of June , followed by a 66 % rate spring 2022 . until next April .
“ Until the Government is able to
Association of Independent put together specific packages for Festivals CEO Paul Reed welcomed our sector – in the same way as it has the extension to the reduced VAT rate , done for others – we will continue which he said would help festivals to suffer .”
Green Man festival owner Fiona Stewart on the need for the industry to work collectively to minimise the impact of threats such as coronavirus .
“ The big question is whether 21 June is actually going to be our opening date – there ’ s a huge amount of work that needs to be done in terms of pilot events and testing . I think the date will slip .”
Kilimanjaro Live CEO and Concert Promoters Association vice chairman Stuart Galbraith offers his thoughts on the reopening timeline
“ We want to create an unforgettable summer of sound and showcase the best of British music as we emerge from the impact of the pandemic . The music industry wants to play a leading role in driving the post-pandemic economic and cultural recovery .”
UK Music CEO Jamie Njoku-Goodwin
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