Thank you for contacting me about support for independent and local newspapers during Coronavirus.
I regularly work with local newspapers and free prints here in Rushcliffe.
I am very pleased that a variety of support has been made available for local newspapers. Journalists and ancillary staff were designated as 'key workers'.
A major Coronavirus public information campaign has been launched, through which Ministers have sought to maximise advertising opportunities for news outlets. Worth up to £35 million in advertising revenue, this campaign brings together over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to reach 49 million people a month.
The Chancellor also brought forward the zero rating of VAT on all e-publications to 1 May - seven months ahead of schedule. The Government expects the tax relief to be passed on to consumers in the form of reduced prices, and publishers should benefit from increased sales.
Independent publishers may also benefit from several measures included in the Government’s wider business support package.
Thank you again for writing to me about this issue.