Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak announced that the furlough scheme would be extended until the end of June.
“The Meetings Industry Association (mia) welcomes the announcement that the furlough scheme cut-off date has been extended by the government to the end of June, providing crucial support to the business meetings and events industry," mia chief executive Jane Longhurst said.
“As we continue to engage the industry and voice their needs, a recent survey issued to the industry found that 82 per cent of organisations are reliant on the scheme to limit the substantial long-term damage gathering restrictions have had on industry operations and the consequential generation of income.
Jane Longhurst“The industry has voiced its need for more flexible furlough terms, including the allowance of employees to volunteer back to the business.
Under current furlough guidelines, a furloughed employee can undertake training or volunteer subject to public health guidance, as long as they are not:
- Making money for your employer or a company linked or associated to your employer
- Providing services to your employer or a company linked or associated to your employer
“Despite this welcomed extension, it remains crucial that the government provides further support to businesses and addresses the indirect barriers to continuity that are still enforced under the scheme,” added Longhurst.
“It is crucial that we don’t stand still but continue to engage the entire workforce to prepare for the busy event schedule that is forecast in Q4 and beyond to compensate for recent postponements."
The mia has vowed to continue to engage and listen to its members and the industry and ensure the updated government schemes to aid the events industry are, “accessible, effective and kept.”
Furlough scheme in brief:
Currently, the furlough scheme allows firms to furlough employees with the government paying cash grants of 80 per cent of their wages up to a maximum of £2,500.
Government guidelines pertaining to the furlough scheme are updated regularly on the gov.uk website.
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.
