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.

As the pandemic has dominated most of our lives this year it has been easy to overlook the upcoming Brexit transition in 2021. We are currently programming a couple of training sessions that will run in December and January specifically concerning Brexit and its impact on the sector.

The first of these takes place on Tuesday 1 December, 10am and will focus on GDPR and Intellectual Property. This will be a roundtable discussion with contributions from solicitors Anderson Strathearn, there will also be time for specific questions you may have. 

FST is currently administering See it Safely applications for all FST members who do not also hold UK Theatre membership. This week, UK Theatre graciously extended the scheme to non-members of both UK Theatre and FST, so please share with any venues who may be interested but do not already hold membership. They will now be able to apply directly via UK Theatre here. 

If you are an FST Member you can read more about the campaign and apply by clicking below.

In these challenging times, it's important to talk, share, and listen to one another. If you find yourself feeling isolated and in need of free, independent, and confidential support then don't forget the wonderful service offered by the #TheatreHelpline.

The Theatre Helpline is open 24/7 to anyone working in the sector, you don’t have to hold UK Theatre or FST membership. 

UK Theatre have asked us to share their latest survey regarding insuring productions in the current climate. This is a generic survey that is being shared UK-wide to help UK Theatre gather evidence to lobby the UK Government to ensure insurance is available to mitigate Covid-related risks to productions.

The survey has detailed notes throughout to help you complete it. If this survey is applicable to you or your organisation UK Theatre asks that only one person in your organisation complete this survey. To reduce duplications or partly completed responses, please download the questions to discuss with your team, before completing online. Surveys must be completed by Monday 16 November.

Since the beginning of the initial lockdown measures in March this year, the FST Board have been meeting regularly. Currently they are meeting fortnightly with Lucy Mason, Interim CEO, Amanda Liddle, General Manager, and Alice McGrath, Sector Strategy Lead to discuss key issues arising for FST members during this time of crisis.

If you would like to raise particular issues with Board members individually please do get in touch, you can find board member contact details via the button below.

On Monday 2 November the Scottish Government’s new Protection Levels Framework was introduced across Scotland.

Currently theatre venues are only allowed to open in Levels 0 and 1, an upper attendance capacity has been set at 100 in Level 1, and 250 in Level 0.

We understand that this upper capacity has been set to mitigate the public health risk of large numbers of people gathering together, travelling to venues and using public transport and local infrastructure.

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.

Useful links: 

The Scottish Government Protection Levels Framework will be under weekly review and you can check your local areas current level here.

The Performing Arts and Venues Sector guidance has been updated as of 5 November with the introduction of the Protection Levels Framework. The Live Events Sector guidance has also been updated as of 9 November.

The Scottish Government is keen to highlight to the sector that feedback on this guidance is welcome, and they are open to discussion and information gathering. You can get in touch with us on hello@scottishtheatre.org and we can pass on, just mark your email subject line 'Scot Gov Feedback'.

Funding for individuals and organisations 
FST continues to make the case to CS for the simplification of funding routes and application processes for individual artists and producers. We understand that new approaches to funding individuals are being developed, alongside the much-needed review of all funding streams for 2021/22 and beyond. We will continue to press for industry consultation on all proposed new funds before they are published.

Freelance Hardship Fund 
On Tuesday 10 November the Hardship Funds for Creative Freelancers re-opened. The fund had been paused at 60% of overall budget to ensure those who required more time to apply due to any access were still able to submit. On Tuesday 3 November this fund was topped up with an additional £3 million from the Scottish Government.
 
If you had already submitted an application form and received a URN number then your application is in the system and you will not be required to re-apply. Guidance for new applicants has been updated in response to feedback from the first wave of applicants.

Culture Collective Fund 
On 4 November Creative Scotland published its first guidance regarding its new Culture Collective Fund. The programme aims to focus on community engaged creativity and will support participatory approaches and projects where creative practitioners and communities work collaboratively. 

A key element of this will be proactively responding to the impact of COVID-19, providing employment opportunities for creative practitioners and actively engaging people in shaping the future cultural life of their community. The deadline for expressions of interest is 18 November, with the final deadling for applications 16 December.

Monthly newsletters highlight the month ahead, and as ever you can find all upcoming FST events on our site or by clicking the button below. 

We also share upcoming events from select partners through our social media on both Facebook and Twitter. 

Upcoming events...

Simply click on the event name to find out more. All sessions will take place via Zoom.

FST Members Meeting 
The next Members Meeting will take place on Monday 14 December.
Further details will be sent out to all members in the coming weeks.

Strategy Development Events 
 - Theatre, Dance & the Environment, Friday 13 November, 9:45am

Training Events
 - EU Transition (Brexit) GDPR & IP, Tuesday 1 December, 10am 
 - Legalities of Online Work, Thursday 10 December, 2pm 
 - Practicalities of Online Work, Thursday 17 December, 2pm 
 
Meet-ups 
 - Production & Technical Staff (hosted by Fi Fraser), Thursday 3 December, 3pm 
 - General Managers, Tuesday 8 December, 2pm

Bursary Recipients, November 2020 
Congratulations to the following recipients of the FST Producer and FST Director bursaries. The next deadlines for these two bursaries are in April 2021 and more information can be found here. 

Producers 
Michelle McKay, working with Helen Milne Productions
Katie Mitchell, working with Perth Theatre.
 
Directors 
Andrea Cabrera Luna, working with The Lyceum
Robbie Gordon, working with Company of Wolves
Saras Feijoo, working with Dance for Parkinsons

The following FST funds are all currently open and available for application. You can find out more about each fund by clicking below.

Online Training Fund
Rolling deadline, Up to £250 per person, across all specialisms

Go, See, Network, Share Fund
Four deadlines a year: March, June, September, and December. This fund is still open during the current pandemic and funds can be used to allow you to attend online conferences, showcases, sector body meetings etc. The fund could be put towards the fee for the event, or to cover the cost of your time to attend. 

Euan Turner Training Fund
Rolling deadline, for technical/production staff and freelancers to attend IOSH or similar training. Open to non-members

FST Technical Training Fund
Rolling deadline, Up to £200 per person, for technical/production staff and freelancers. Open to non-members

In June 2020 FST convened an advisory group to provide clarity on Health and Safety matters for theatres & theatrical producing companies relating to Covid-19. The group is meeting regularly to collate and signpost current Government, professional and union guidance on the FST site.

You can always find the most up to date listings by visiting the Jobs section on our website. This month you can find opportunities with FST Members Tramway, Summerhall, Starcatchers, The Work Room and Skye’s SEALL.

If you'd like to list your opportunities on our website or highlighted on our social media channels then please contact us at hello@scottishtheatre.org.