PR industry bodies respond to announcement of England’s third national lockdown

Industry bodies PRCA and CIPR have responded to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of a third national lockdown across England with calls for further support for those working in PR and communications.

‘While those in our industry will understand the reasons for these restrictions, it is imperative that the Government now delivers further, critical support to businesses, employees and freelancers,’ said PRCA director general Francis Ingham.

‘Whether this is in the form of VAT, business rates, NI, personal tax, an open-ended furlough scheme, a genuinely innovative attitude must be adopted to support jobs, livelihoods, and mental health. We remain particularly concerned for the self-employed in our industry who have been hit hard by the stop-start lockdowns. The Chancellor must, today, announce new support measures that extent deep into this year.’

CIPR President Mandy Pearse also sees the need for support increasing: ‘It is clear that 2021 will be as challenging, if not more so, than 2020. We know our work has never been more valuable. Our public sector communicator colleagues will be working hard today to translate lockdown rules and to support the public and businesses as well as both in-house and agency teams supporting organisations impacted by lockdown.

‘We are aware of the impact this has on PR colleagues and we encourage them to remember to give attention to their health and wellbeing and access the existing support available. Last year the sense of community in our industry and the support that came with it was an inspiration. In 2021 we must continue to stick together, to look out for each other, and to call out to each other for help in tough times.

‘The CIPR will continue to do everything we can to support our members and to call on decision-makers for the necessary support – financial or otherwise – to help them to do their jobs effectively and successfully.’