The future of job security in the events industry remains uncertain despite the news that business meetings and events can resume from 17 May.
Juliet Price, consultant executive director of HBAA said many event businesses are facing the prospect of increased employer contributions to the furlough scheme along with other pressures.
“At last, the meetings events and accommodation sector has the confirmation that it desperately needed to give planners, travellers and delegates the confidence to commit to bookings,” Price said.
“Our Meet Safe Meet Smart campaign has highlighted this issue. This is an important step forward and very welcome, as was the Prime Minister’s recognition for Mental Health Awareness Week, an issue that HBAA has been championing for some years.
“Sadly, despite this good news, new pressures on agencies may lead to further redundancies and further business impacts. Many are facing the issue of the increase of the employers’ share of furlough payments and having to start repaying Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) loans. These have come upon them several months before payments from clients reach their bank accounts.
The current Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough scheme) means the Government will pay 80 per cent of an employees wages up to £2,500. An employer is able to top up the other 20 per cent if they can afford to do so.
However, the scheme is changing in July when the Government will reduce its contribution to 70 per cent, then down to 60 per cent in August and September, when the scheme will end.
“An average of 39 per cent of agency jobs have already been lost during the first 12 months of the pandemic – there is a severe danger of more,” Price added.
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.
