I am told AVg 2014 updates no longer work on xp, whilst they appear to download they no longer keep you safe

Colin, Who's providing you with this info?.. 
Have a look @ this official AVG article (https://support.avg.com/SupportArticleView?urlname=AVG-support-for-Windows-XP).

Colin, Who's providing you with this info?.. 
Have a look @ this official AVG article (https://support.avg.com/SupportArticleView?urlname=AVG-support-for-Windows-XP).