Latest updates from The SLTA on job retention scheme, furlough guidance (including template letter), national volunteering plan and PRS/PPL.
FURTHER DETAILS ANNOUNCED ON CORONAVIRUS JOB RETENTION SCHEME
Businesses furloughing staff during the coronavirus outbreak will receive further financial support – with the costs of employer national insurance and pension contributions being covered by the government.
Under the scheme, employers can claim a grant covering 80% of the wages for a furloughed employee, subject to a cap of £2,500 a month.
In a move that could save businesses an extra £300 a month for each employee under the scheme, the government will now cover the employer national insurance and minimum auto-enrollment pension scheme contributions employers pay on the wages they must pay their furloughed staff – on top of the wages covered under the scheme.
For details go to:- Update on Job Retention Scheme
FURLOUGH GUIDANCE AND TEMPLATE LETTER.
The SLTA’s solicitors, Miller Samuel Hill Brown have also produced guidance on the Job Retention Scheme and an Employee Furlough Letter template for employers:-
MSHB – Job Retention Scheme Guidance
MSHB – Employee Furlough Letter Template
UPDATE ON PRS AND PPL
Licensees are still receiving payment notices for PPL/PRS. The SLTA has now received the following communication from PPL/PRS.
“PPL PRS Ltd. fully appreciates the pressures affecting many businesses across the UK as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We wish to reassure customers of that we are introducing a number of measures to support them during these unprecedented times.
These include:-·
- not charging customers for their music usage during the period they are closed (temporarily or permanently) due to COVID-19
- changes to our payment policies to introduce further flexibility, including deferred payments, for customers during this difficult period
- temporary suspension of late payment surcharges.
More detail on these temporary measures is set out in our FAQs on our web site –https://pplprs.co.uk/business-update/
If you have any queries about the effect of COVID-19 that are not answered in our FAQs page, you can of course still contact us via telephone on 0800 072 0808.
Please be assured that we are continuing to work hard to answer all your questions as quickly as possible. Due to the volume of customer contact we are currently receiving we would ask for your patience and understanding should you experience a delay in our response time. We would also like to thank all those customers who are continuing to take out, pay for and renew the music licence for their businesses. The royalties you pay are a vital source of income for performers, songwriters and other music creators. Many of them are self-employed, sole traders or small businesses who – through the cancellation of live events, closure of music retailers and disruption to recording activities – are also being adversely impacted in these difficult times.”
NATIONAL VOLUNTEERING PLAN FOR CORONAVIRUS
A new ‘Scotland Cares’ campaign has been launched to encourage people to volunteer during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
While the most important ask for the public remains to stay at home and follow the essential public health guidance, people who are healthy and not at risk can volunteer to provide practical or emotional help to those most in need.Those wanting to volunteer to support their communities have three options which are signposted from the Ready Scotland website:
- returning NHS workers will be directed to existing voluntary arrangements in NHS Scotland
- people wishing to offer their support to our public services, including the NHS and local authorities, will be directed to a site co-ordinated by the British Red Cross
- those looking for opportunities with other charities or community groups in their area will be directed to Volunteer Scotland for information
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:
“We know there are a huge number of people who are already volunteering and many more with a desire to help their communities, public services and voluntary organisations. And for that we are incredibly grateful.“This site means that those who are able to can contribute in a way which makes a real difference. It helps people to help each other, as we all get through this together.”
Volunteers who want to support their communities should visit www.ReadyScotland.org to find out how they can help.
The website is being constantly updated and provides advice on volunteering safely and the organisations to register an interest with such as Volunteer Scotland and the Red Cross.
Businesses who can offer support should email covid19response@gov.scot
In line with Scotland’s current stay at home rules the public can only volunteer to carry out tasks which involve leaving their home, once a day, if you are not required to be isolating and are not in any risk categories.