The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) have issued a joint statement commending the efforts of communications professionals during the Covid-19 outbreak. In addition, they have published an open letter to the chancellor of the exchequer asking for more support to be provided for freelance practitioners.

The joint statement applauds the people working within the PR and communications industry who carried out continuous work in the face of the global pandemic to ensure the public has access to “timely, reliable and transparent news.”  The statement vows to “stand shoulder-to-shoulder with communications professionals” while working with the government to protect the industry, jobs and salaries of communications professionals.

The open letter urges the chancellor to consider the jobs of professionals who work in an industry which contributes £14.9 bn to the economy including assuring an income for freelance and self-employed workers as well and establishing a small business grant for home-based or virtual businesses which are currently unable to access support.