UK Government Confirms To The IPIA That All Print Production Can Currently Remain Open For Business

Image Courtesy of IPIA

March 26, 2020 : The IPIA and BAPC have been in intense dialogue with Government to protect hundreds of thousands of jobs

The IPIA and BAPC have met with The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and a key piece of confirmed guidance is that — following the representations of our industry’s associations — all print production can currently remain open for business.

BEIS provided clarity that print businesses do not need to seek special status in order to trade, and any business that wishes to continue production as it has orders coming through can continue — but must heed safe working practices.

The only exception being that public-facing print shop counters should be closed.

Those print business staff who cannot work from home, and need to attend their place of work physically to carry out their job, can do so.

This is distinct from print businesses that supply front line services such as the NHS applying for ‘key worker status’ on behalf of their staff with their local Council.

This may afford them the right to have their children attend school so they can continue to work.

All print business employers are urged to fully implement the staff health and safety protection guidance available via the NHS website.

We have been in direct and intense dialogue with BEIS since the Covid-19 crisis broke and our place is making sure that we represent the print industry to the very best of our abilities so that the economic damage that is being done to our sector is minimised as much as possible." said Mike Roberts, President of the IPIA and Managing Director of PMG Print Management

He continues: “Furthermore, we are in a position of privileged responsibility in being able to take our members and the industry’s concerns and challenges directly to Government. It is not a position we take lightly, and we will continue to work tirelessly on our sector’s behalf.”