Following Rishi Sunak’s summer budget announcement, industry leaders have voiced their disappointment over his and the Government’s lack of help for the events industry.
Lex Butler.Lex Butler, chair of HBAA said: “Today’s announcement is yet another blow for an industry that is, quite frankly, on its knees and our people are massively affected today and potentially in the future.
"Yet again the Chancellor and the Government have not listened to the many outspoken voices of the business events and meetings industry asking for financial help to save jobs and keep the industry alive. Why is this sector being excluded?
"HBAA has tirelessly lobbied for our voice to be heard and for actions to take place, whilst working in collaboration with other industry associations.
"Whilst we support and welcome the boost to hotel accommodation, restaurants and leisure attraction businesses, how and when will business events and meetings industry be considered? We need to save ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’ in the £70bn business events, accommodation and meetings sector now."
Similarly, Jane Longhurst, chief executive of the Meetings Industry Association (mia) said: "As once again the events sector, that contributes £70bn to the economy supporting over 700,000 highly skilled jobs wasn’t noted specifically, we await further clarification as to how or whether the gesture will be extended to business meetings and events."
Longhurst said it was "extremely disappointing" that there will be no exceptions to the furlough scheme. However, she did acknowledge that the £1,000 bonus for employers bringing back furloughed staff was a "glimmer of hope" for the business meetings and events sector.
Butler called for financial support and a reduction in VAT for the events sector, on venue bookings and event organising services, immediately.
“We need a delay in paying corporation tax to support the many businesses which are in dire financial straits,” she added.
Jane LonghurstBefore Sunak’s summer budget announcement, Stephen Hammond MP asked Boris Johnson when information would be shared about the reopening of the events industry, to which Johnson said there would be "news later in the week."
"We can only hope that it is good news," Butler said.
"The news we desperately need is a start date for meetings and events. Although hotels have reopened they are unable to host meetings and many conference centres and event venues remain closed," Butler added.
"Many restaurants also rely on corporate groups, so the hospitality industry is only really half open and barely able to operate profitably due to the lack of business from the events, and meetings sector."
There is also growing concern that the UK event industry will miss out on vital international event business as Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands all announced the reopening of their event industries.
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
