London,
27
March
2020
|
16:26
Europe/London

CIPR and PRCA write to Chancellor calling for further support for small businesses

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) have written to the Chancellor following yesterday's announced Self-Employed Income Support Scheme. The industry bodies cautiously welcome the support put in place for freelancer practitioners although remain concerned about the lack of measures for those operating as limited companies.

Read the letter here (under 'Latest News').

Joint Statement

We welcome yesterday’s announcement from the Chancellor on financial support the self-employed but some concerns remain regarding the availability of support.

Freelancers and small businesses have consistently called for greater financial protections since the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) was announced on 20th March. These calls were outlined in the letter we wrote to the Chancellor earlier this week.

The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, announced yesterday, will be welcomed by the freelance community, but many self-employed professionals will not be eligible to apply. This group includes;

  • Those who operate as limited companies
  • Those who became self-employed since April 2019
  • Those with a trading profit of more than £50,000
  • Those who move between short-term PAYE contracts

Today we have two asks:

  • To the PR profession – if you have outstanding invoices with self-employed practitioners and small businesses, please do all you can to pay these without delay.
  • To the Government – consider how equitable support might be delivered to small businesses who have no recourse other than to apply for Universal Credit.

Alastair McCapra - CEO, Chartered Institute of Public Relations

Francis Ingham MPRCA - Director General, Public Relations and Communications Association

 
Boilerplate

About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)

Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.

The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).