The Graphics and Print Media Alliance (GPMA) has written to Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Alok Sharma, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, calling for a means-tested disaster relief grant fund for the UK print industry.
The statement has been backed unanimously by all 15 members of the GPMA and calls on the Government to provide sector-specific support for print as the COVID crisis continues.
The GPMA, a body of trade associations supporting commercial print, warned Ministers that more than 3,000 businesses will go into insolvency by Christmas if the sector does not receive a specific support package, with a further 3,000 under threat in the next six months.
IPIA Chairman Graeme Smith, BPIF CEO Charles Jarrold, PICON CEO Bettine Pellant and BAPC Chairman Brendan Perring, said in a joint statement:
"The UK graphics and print media industry is facing its greatest challenge. In particular, the commercial and retail print sectors are facing a breakdown of supply chain integrity and the loss of thousands of businesses if they do not receive targeted assistance.
"We are supportive of, and grateful for, all the work HM Treasury and BEIS have done over the last six months to protect livelihoods and jobs in our industry. Our focus now is to secure a means-tested disaster relief fund for the sector, so all that good work is not undone.
"We are working closely with BEIS to provide its print industry support team with the data and analysis needed to assist policy development and we are hopeful that this support will be forthcoming."
