Coronaviris Impact Report: Update 3

This is the third follow up report to the Culture Counts impact survey.

Background

We received 340 responses to the survey between the 13 March and 14 April. We asked those completing the survey to tell us about the impact Covid-19 is having on them as an individual, a sole trader or entrepreneur, or an organisation.

This report also includes evidence and information gathered from Culture Counts member organisations representing the music, visual arts, and theatre industries who shared their experiences and concerns outwith the survey.

Since our last report, the UK government has released updated information on the employee furlough scheme, which will allow employees to be paid up to 80% of their wages, as well as a scheme for self employed people, which will similarly reimburse people who earn at least 50% of their income from self employment.

Further support has been announced by the Scottish government, aiming to fill the gaps left by the UK provisions. The furloughing scheme has been welcomed. Many organisations report that some staff are already furloughed, with these numbers expected to increase. There was gratitude expressed for the ‘significant economic safety nets’ provided by the Scottish Government.

Above all, the sector is looking for reassurance, guidance, and more information on the likely extent of the lockdown and of prolonged social distancing measures. The main concerns and issues raised can be divided into three main areas:

• Short term - issues such as cash flow, income, rent, insurance, which have immediate consequences for individuals and organisations.

• Medium term - strategies necessary for coming out of lockdown; a need for co-operation and communication within the creative industries; re-establishing the creative industries during a time of social distancing.

• Long term - Financial issues related to long term business closure and long term loss of income. How will the creative industries exist and function if social distancing measures are implemented, to some extent, as a long-term strategy of a year or longer?

Recent Developments

The responses informing this report were collected before the following recent announcements from the UK and Scottish Governments:

On the 15 April the UK government announced that the furlough scheme eligibility has been expanded to employees who were on payroll by 19 March (previously 28 February), which will assuage some concerns expressed.

The Scottish Government has announced a £100 million fund designed to assist self-employed people and micro and SME businesses in distress due to COVID. This is intended to support newly self-employed people and businesses which are ineligible for other schemes.

Culture Counts (17.04.2020)

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