COVID-19 Update 19th May 2021

Paying Back SEISS

HMRC has updated it’s guidance to explain when and how to tell them about a tax return amendment if it affects your eligibility or grant amount. Specifically, you must tell them if there is an amendment to any of your tax returns on or after 3 March 2021 which either:

• • lowers the amount of fourth grant you’re eligible for
  • causes you to no longer be eligible for the fourth grant

If your return has been amended before claiming your grant, you must tell them within 90 days of receiving your grant.

If your return has been amended after receiving your grant, you must tell them within 90 days of making the amendment.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tell-hmrc-and-pay-the-self-employment-income-support-scheme-grant-back

Performing Arts Guidance Updated

The Primary Guidance for Performing Arts has been updated to include more detailed information on the rules and restrictions related to Step 3. This guidance includes detailed information on:

• • Capacity limits
  • Serving Food and drink to customers
  • Performance/screening areas within the premises of another venue such as a pub, hotel or holiday park
  • The use of private or corporate boxes

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/performing-arts

Domestic Cruise Ship Guidance Updated

The guidance has been updated to bring it into line with Step 3, meaning that Domestic cruises are now permitted in England. However, Domestic cruises can only operate with up to 1,000 passengers or 50% capacity (whichever is lower). Social distancing and social mixing rules still apply groups of more than 6 people or 2 households are not allowed to mix indoors.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-cruise-ship-travel

Let’s Do London: Tourism Recovery Campaign Briefing by London & Partners – 26 May

Last week I sent you information about the new £6m Let’s Do London campaign. Following on from this, London and partners is holding a briefing on the campaign at 11am – 12noon next Wednesday (26 May). At the briefing they will be:

• • Explaining how this campaign ties in with London & Partners’ new strategy and its place in the broader context of London’s recovery from the pandemic.
  • Providing insight into London’s key audiences, including their motivations and barriers to travel.
  • Explaining how to get involved in the recovery campaign and how best to use the Let’s Do London campaign toolkit and assets.

You can find out more about the briefing and register using the following link

 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lets-do-london-tourism-recovery-campaign-briefing-by-london-partners-tickets-153631256223

VisitEngland Domestic Consumer Sentiment Tracker

VisitEngland has published the results of wave 30 of its consumer sentiment tracker, which is based on fieldwork conducted between 4-9 May. While there are some positive gains in sentiment, there is no substantial bounce in trip intent. The good news is that almost half of the adult population now thinks the ‘worst has passed’ regarding the Covid situation (cf 38% last time), but this is tempered by only 61% of people think that a domestic holiday booked for August will actually go ahead.

Other points of note from Wave 30:

• The national mood is unchanged at 6.7/10
• Only 12% now believe the ‘worst is still to come’ (down from 18%).
• 47% of adults expect ‘normality’ by end of this year – up 2 points compared to last wave.
• The Appetite for Risk score climbs to 2.7/4.
• Around half of adults anticipate taking more or the same number of overnight domestic trips between now and end of the year compared to normal.  This compares with c. 30% of adults with similar intent regarding overseas trips.  These figures are largely unchanged this wave.
• 14% anticipate taking an overnight trip this spring (Apr – June) rising to 32% during the summer (July – Sept) which is broadly stable wave-on-wave.
• Among those who are intending to take a trip this summer, 37% have reached the planning and 29% the booking stages of their trips, which is up from 33% and 26% respectively last wave.
• The South West remains the lead region for spring and summer trips and although it still dominates, its share has dipped slightly this wave, especially for spring trips.
• The leading destination type for spring trips is ‘traditional coastal/seaside town’ (33%) narrowly ahead of ‘countryside or village’ (29%).  The pattern is similar for the summer period.
• The accommodation types most likely to be used on overnight trips this spring are ‘camping/caravan’ (41%), private home’ (38%) ‘commercial rentals’ (e.g. holiday cottages) on 36% and ‘Hotel/motel/inn’ (also 36%).  Again, we see a broadly similar pattern for summer trips.
• 44% of UK adults intend to take a day trip to either a ‘countryside/village’ or ‘traditional coastal/seaside town’ destination respectively this spring or summer.  This compares with 25% intending to visit a ‘large city’.

https://www.visitbritain.org/sites/default/files/vb-corporate/covid-19_consumer_tracker_wave_30_final.pdf