We are currently in Phase 3 of the Scottish Government’s Route Map out of lockdown. The Scottish Government has introduced as of Monday 2 November 2020 a 5-level Protection Levels Framework across the country.
The Protection Levels across Scotland will be updated weekly by the Scottish Government. You can check the current level of your local area here.
The UK Government has confirmed that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) is to be extended until March 2021 across the whole of the UK. The CJRS scheme will be provided at the level originally announced at the start of lockdown., i.e: 80% of wages for the time that employees are unable to work.
In this scenario venues in Level 1 of the Scottish Government’s Protection Levels Framework will still be able to claim the CJRS for hours when their staff are not working, whether they open or not.
The UK Government has confirmed that in line with the extension of furlough, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme has also been extended. The extension will last for 6 months, from November 2020 to April 2021. Grants will be paid in 2 lump sum instalments each covering a 3 month period.
For the period from 1 November 2020 until 31 January 2021 the Government will provide a taxable grant calculated at 80% of 3 months average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment and capped at £7,500 in total. This is an increase from the previously announced amount of 55%.
The online service for the next grant will be available from 30 November 2020. HMRC will provide full details about claiming and applications in guidance on GOV.UK in due course.
FST recognises the severity of the challenge that re-opening within current legislation presents for our venue, company and individual members.
We are working hard to make the case for the theatre industry to be recognised for its high standards of customer care and health and safety; for the need for venue-specific decisions about capacities; and for additional financial support to make the creation and presentation of work possible if our sector is to survive and thrive.
FST continues to liaise with the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland to ensure the diverse needs of our sector are represented and heard. We will continue to update the membership via email, our website and social media as soon as we can ensure that information is accurate.
If you have any questions or enquiries during this time, regarding FST in general or more specifically concerning a particular issue then please email us at hello@scottishtheare.org
Below you can find further news, resources and advice relating to COVID-19.
Law At Work (LAW) offer a number of free resources and advice packages to Employers who would like to receive some help in navigating employment law during the Covid-19 pandemic. LAW are also offering 3-month or 12-month contracts for support on employment law and health & safety. These contracts enable employers to receive bespoke advice on their specific […]
Andonella Thomson, a coach, trainer, motivator and mentor at Kingscavil Consulting, who is also going to run the next FST Mentoring Programme, put together a great list of tips and suggestions that will make working from home easier: There are loads of emails coming in about what companies are doing to be extra vigilant. Are you […]
Creative Entrepreneurs Club removed the member fee from their online platform in order to offer the wider creative community a place to organise work and provide support around mental health, advice, and more. Check out their website here: https://creativeentrepreneursclub.co.uk/ You can follow an FST Member, Sandy Thomson, who’s been gathering a wide range of advice for this […]
A generous offer of help for theatre freelancers comes from Michael John O’Neil: he is a producer & dramaturg w/ experience in fundraising, artist/project development, project management, script reading etc. Every Monday he is working 10am – 6pm on other people’s projects, without charge:
The Third Sector Resilience Fund (TSRF) is a £20m emergency fund for charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations working in Scotland. The fund will support organisations that already deliver services and products but find themselves in financial difficulties directly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The primary intention of the fund is to […]
Creative Scotland have pulled together an A-Z of funding and resources available to those in the creative community, who have been affected by Coronavirus: https://www.creativescotland.com/resources/professional-resources/covid-19-directory
This list has been prepared by one of FST Members, Independent Arts Projects. It is a comprehensive list of links to sources on Covid-19, wellbeing, funds and support organisations:
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) prepared a number of guidelines and sources of information: SCVO is managing the COVID-19 third sector information hub that will be constantly updated. SCVO has set up a COVID-19 Stakeholder Network – they will provide regular updates to other organisations and bodies who can cascade information to their members, networks and contacts. Partners and […]
We know that this is a difficult and testing time for a lot of our Members. We’re pleased to let you know that we’ve engaged Owen O’Leary of Oh Really Creative to offer free ad hoc advice to FST Members
Evidence on the Government’s Coronavirus Fiancial Package, submitted on 23 March.
A letter from the Federation of Scottish Theatre seeking Mr Jack’s support in influencing the UK Government to provide support for freelance workers during the Covid-19 – dated 23 March 2020.
On 20 March, FST wrote a letter to Cabinet Secretary to highlight significant concerns across the theatre and dance sectors in Scotland about the impact of COVID-19 following the UK and Scottish Government’s decision to restrict public gatherings.