The Ivors Academy continues to work closely with industry partners and government ministers to assess the impact of covid-19 on the community. We understand the effects are having a huge implication on the sector, so it is important you are able to make informed decisions based on the information available. To help you understand the latest advice we’ve gathered useful resources from around the industry to ensure you feel supported and protected.
Corona Advice for Musicians is new and regularly updated website acting as a central source of support for all musicians.
Support from the Academy
If you are a member of The Ivors Academy and would like further information you can contact us here and read more useful information here.
Workers and businesses
A range of extra support and measures will be in place by the Government to help workers and business affected by coronavirus.
UK Music have collected advice from Government for both business and individuals working in the industry, including information about loan schemes, sick pay, business rate discounts, funding support and tax advice.
A range of support was announced in the Government’s 2020 Budget
HMRC has a set up a phone helpline to support businesses and self-employed people concerned about not being able to pay their tax due to coronavirus.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme which will help businesses affected to access bank lending and overdrafts if they need to. For loans up to £5 million, the Government is providing a guarantee for each loan.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme where all UK employers with a PAYE scheme will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those who would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis.
Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme which will help many self-employed with income support.
Time to Pay – all businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time to Pay Service.
Covid-19 Corporate Financing Facility where the Bank of England will buy short-term debt from larger companies.
VAT Deferral for 3 months for businesses.
Income Tax Deferral for the Self-Employed under the Self-Assessment System until January 2021. Find out more.
The Chancellor has extended the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) so that all viable small businesses affected by COVID-19, and not just those unable to secure regular commercial financing, will now be eligible should they need finance to keep operating during this time. The Scheme supports small and medium-sized businesses to access loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance of up to £5 million for up to six years.
Bounce Back Loan Scheme for small businesses – a loan scheme which will allow businesses who have struggled to access existing measures, to apply for up to 25% of turnover with a maximum payment of £50,000. The Government will offer 100% guarantee for this loan and pay the interest for the first 12 months and no repayments due for that first year.
Health and wellbeing
Help Musicians Health and Welfare Support team offers structured support (including financial) to professional musicians in times of personal crisis. Contact help@helpmusicians.org.uk or phone 0207 239 9103.
The charity also run a support link called Music Minds Matter offering free 24 hour support. Eligible musicians can access free counselling or online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Contact MMM@helpmusicians.org.uk or phone 0808 802 8008
Financial support and hardship funds
The PRS Members’ Fund can provide support and advice to PRS members and their families who are struggling financially, physically or emotionally and are in need of help. You can find more about the project here and contact fund@prsformusic.com or phone 0203 741 4067 .
Help Musicians has set aside £5m to tackle some of the short-term financial effects of Coronavirus. Professional musicians are able to apply online for a one-off grant of £500. has
PRS for Music – The Emergency Relief Fund, in partnership with the PRS Members’ Fund and PRS Foundation, is open to all PRS members around the world who have been a member for at least two years and earned over £500 in the last two years. Grants will be awarded based on assessment of individual need and applicants will receive support up to a value of £1000. Deadline 17th April
The MU has set up a £1M hardship fund for those who have been in continuous membership of the MU for the last twelve months or more. Initially, the individual grants are restricted to a maximum of £200 whilst the level of applications is monitored.
The Film & TV Charity – If you’re a film and TV composer and facing unexpected costs or a short-term financial shortfall due to Covid-19, The Film and TV Charity offer one-off grants of £500 to £2,500 to get you through. You’ll need at least 2 years’ (proven) professional experience behind the scenes in the UK film, TV and cinema industry to apply. Applications will close: 6pm Wednesday 22nd April 2020
Spotify is matching donations to Help Musicians, MusiCares & PRS Foundation dollar for dollar up to a collective total of $10 million.
PRS Foundation’s Sustaining Creativity Fund – helping you get back on track – This is a new type of support which responds to the changing needs of creators. For those experiencing significant impact on their work, income and ability to complete planned musical activities, PRS Foundation want to enable creativity and to help grantees to be in a good position to fulfil creative and career potential, breaking down the huge barriers presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a fund which sits between the Emergency funds previously mentioned and general funding. Next deadline: 6pm, 13th April 2020
If you receive National Lottery Funds you can find key resources through:
- Arts Council England
- Arts Council Wales
- Creative Scotland
- Arts Council Northern Ireland
- PRS Foundation
Travel and touring
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) now advises British people against all non-essential travel worldwide. This advice takes effect immediately and applies initially for a period of 30 days.
AIM have guidance on travel disruption and event cancellation for touring artists, including oversees events.
Performing
ISM have advice for performers, including information on contract support.
Teaching
Advice for employed teachers can be found on the ISM website with information for private teachers and self-employed teachers.
If you would like to get advice on how to teach remotely, RSL have put together some useful tips and guidance in their article ‘How to teach music online: The benefits and pitfalls’
Last updated: 30 April 2020
