Welcome to the Sports Freelancer Collective’s latest update.
HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT SEISS?
A message from Philippe Auclair, FWA co-ordinator of the Sports Freelancer Collective…
Like many of you, I gather, I’ve yet to hear directly or through my accountant from HMRC re SEISS. The SFC would like to get a clearer picture of what is happening (or not happening) in this regard.
For this purpose, we’d like to hear from those of you who think – or know – they are eligible for the scheme.
Just email (philippe.auclair.fwa@gmail.com) stating:
- HMRC has been in touch with me
- HMRC has been in touch with my accountant
- HMRC has not been in touch either with me or my accountant
Thank you very much for participating in this ‘survey’.
The more of you – who are eligible – respond to it, the better we’ll be able to understand the current situation, and work to protect and promote our cause.
Warning: be aware that phishers and scammers have already used fake SEISS messages purporting to be from HMRC to try and steal data. A friend of mine was targeted on the very evening of Rishi Sunak’s announcement, and my accountant confirmed that other clients of his had also received fraudulent messages. So be extra careful when dealing with emails of this kind.
FROM OUR ACCOUNTANT
Niall McGinnity, who’s been an absolute rock for the SFC, very kindly asked me to share the following information. Just click on the links to access the resources in question.
A SEISS calculator tool and simple guide – helpful to work out eligibility and support levels.
There is also a lobbying effort being made via this online form. This is collating support to lobby the government on the two main holes in current support, namely:
- Small limited companies with directors who pay themselves in dividends and are not eligible for grants.
- Sole traders who set up shop from 6 April 2019 and are not eligible for grants.
TWITTER WATCHDOG
The Treasury Committee is a cross-party group of MPs appointed by The House of Commons and they are here to scrutinise the Treasury. It’s worth following them on Twitter @commonstreasury
Next week we’re hold another evidence session on the economic impact of #coronavirus.
We’ll hear from @UKFtweets, @_F_L_A, @TheFCA and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
📺Watch it live on Wednesday 15 April at 2.30pm here ➡️ https://t.co/CsTC6mV5Qn pic.twitter.com/9MVpyyI10K
— Treasury Committee (@CommonsTreasury) April 9, 2020
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Hardships funds and emergency grants may be accessible via:
- The Journalists Charity
- The Authors Guild
- The British Association of Journalists
- National Union of Journalists
- Society of Authors
ANXIETY
Sports psychotherapist Gary Bloom is happy to speak to anyone via @bloomers57 or emailing info@sportsjournalists.co.uk.