Business Advice, Support & Guidance

Consolidating government advice, support and useful information for your business

The MPA has endeavoured to keep our members informed with information and business developments, including those related to Ukraine and Russia, the Brexit transition period, Covid-19 and the music publishing industry.

Here is a pool of our resources.

We thank you for your continued cooperation.

Creative Industries Funding

Creative Catalyst 2023 – UK registered micro and small businesses in the creative industries sector, can apply for funding up to £50,000 with a package of support to grow their business.
DCMS Create Growth Fund: Competition 1 – UK registered micro, small and medium enterprises in the creative sector can apply for funding of between £10,000 and £30,000 for innovation projects to grow their business.
Art Council National Lottery Project Grants

BEIS Energy Business Relief Scheme Review Survey

As part of the review of the Energy Bills Relief Scheme, the Government will engage with businesses, organisations and trade associations across the UK so that they can better understand energy needs, including through the use of this survey.

This survey includes questions on a range of topics, including information about your organisation, energy costs and usage, other costs and your expectations for the months ahead. Responses to this questionnaire will help inform and shape the review of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme.

The survey is available here

*IMPORTANT* For question 1.3 – “Please provide a description of the industry in which your business operates (e.g. hospitality)” –
To ensure DCMS can analyse data effectively for sub-sectors (beyond SIC codes – where known), please could members use “Music publishers” as their response.
Please complete as an individual company by 23.55 on Monday 24th October.

Guidance on business enquiries relating to Ukraine or Russia

New sanctions will deny Russia and Belarus access to Most Favoured Nation tariffs for hundreds of their exports and ban UK exports of high-end luxury goods to both countries. The full press release can be viewed here.

In addition, UK Export Finance has announced it will no longer issue any new guarantees, loans and insurance for exports to Russia and Belarus, whilst retaining £3.5 billion of financial support for trade to Ukraine. You can view the press release here.

Upcoming webinars:
HMG officials are hosting two webinars for businesses about the recent changes to UK sanctions relating to Russia.

UK Sanctions relating to Russia: Briefing by UK Government, Thursday 17 March, 13:00 GMT
The webinar will cover; sanctions legislation overview; new sanctions measures: financial, trade and transport; individual and entity designations; and humanitarian issues. Please register via Eventbrite.
UK sanctions against Russia, Thursday 24 March, 14:00 – 15:30 GMT
The webinar will cover; the scope of sanctions, scope and application of trade sanctions; financial sanctions: restrictions and general licenses; the Export Support Service and enforcement of trade sanctions. Further details can be found here, and you can register here.

A reminder – businesses and traders with questions relating to trading with Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus can submit their enquiries to DIT’s Export Support Service by visiting https://www.gov.uk/ask-export-support-team, or calling the helpline using the number 0300 303 8955.

Actions to take when the cyber threat is heightened
Businesses can submit an enquiry to DIT’s Digital Enquiry Service or call the helpline on 0300 303 8955.
The ESS landing page also features a dedicated link for Ukraine or Russia enquiries.

ESS will be the first point of contact for business and trade enquiries relating to Ukraine or Russia, as well as continuing to provide support to businesses exporting to Europe. Further background on ESS can be found below.

Background on DIT’s Export Support Service (ESS)

The Export Support Service (ESS) was created to assist exporters adapt to the new trading arrangements following the agreement of the UK/EU Trade Cooperation Agreement (TCA). It does not replace the existing support provided by individual Departments, rather it helps UK exporters navigate that guidance to get the answers to their questions.
ESS consists of a freephone helpline, digital enquiry service, a cross-Whitehall Policy and Analytical Hub, and a Europe Market Access Centre.

Brexit Transition Period

GOV.UK Transition Checker
The creative industries sector from January 2021
Business readiness bulletins from BEIS (containing links to useful resources and engagement sessions)
Government webinars for organisations that trade with the EU
Videos about trading with the EU
Tax Information for the Transition Period
MU Flowchart for Musicians
Information on ATA Carnets
Apply for ATA Carnet
Foreign Travel Advice
Further Guidance for Businesses
Travelling to Europe for Work? – Business Travel Explainer
Summary of the UK-EU Deal
Importing & Exporting Goods
GOV.UK Providing Services and Travelling for Business to the EU
BEIS Brexit Video Explainers
Internationalisation Fund now open for businesses in England
ICO – Data sharing following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU (Webinar)
ICO – End of transition – Interactive tool for small businesses
ICO – Data protection explained in three minutes
ICO – Data protection advice for small businesses
ICO – Data protection fee: what you need to do
Trading with the EU & NI Toolkit – Download PDF
#LETTHEMUSICMOVE Campaign – FAC/UK Music

UK – EU Data Negotiations Update

Steps your business needs to take:

You should take stock of the personal data you hold prior to January 2021
If you receive data from the EU/EEA, you should map your data flows and put in place alternative transfer mechanisms with any relevant EU organisations.
You can put in place safeguards by incorporating standard contractual clauses. Search ‘keep data flowing’ on the ICO’s website for more help.

Personal data provisions in the Withdrawal Agreement

Without adequacy decisions in place, the personal data protection provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement will come into effect. These require certain ‘legacy’ personal data you may hold to be protected in line with EU data law (in its end of transition period state).
Legacy data comprises personal data of individuals outside the UK (whether in the EEA or not) processed in the UK before the end of the transition period or subsequently on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement.
You will need to familiarise yourself with these requirements to ensure you are in a position to comply.

Watch our webinar Navigating Brexit on demand below