Petition · past parliament

Provide financial support for people who lose jobs / can’t pay bills in COVID-19

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

The situation is dire with workers in many sectors from hospitality to travel already being released.
Many, including those on zero hour contracts will struggle to pay rent and bills so need financial support to get through this period.
Loans to businesses on their own do not help these citizens.
The Government must instigate a programme of financial support for those who will be seriously impacted financially by job losses and business closures.
Support should be provided in terms of direct financial aid so those affected can pay their rent and bills whilst being able to feed their families.
This can be in conjunction with the private sector to freeze critical bills and rent where possible but direct government financial assistance is required in this moment of crisis.

Why it was rejected

The UK Government or Parliament was already taking the action it asked for.

You can find out about what Government support is available for people as a result of coronavirus (under the section on employment and financial support) here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

You can find out about what Government support is available for businesses as a result of the coronavirus here: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/

Suspending payments for council tax, mortgages, utilities and loans is a matter for individual councils, mortgage providers, utility providers and lenders, and not the UK Government or Parliament.

If you want the Government to require councils to suspend council tax payments during the coronavirus outbreak, you may wish to sign this petition: Require councils to suspend council tax payments during the coronavirus outbreak

If you want the Government to encourage lenders, landlords and utilities to freeze payments during lockdown, you may wish to sign this petition: Encourage lenders, landlords and utilities to freeze payments during lockdown

If you want the Government to implement Universal Basic Income to give home and food security during the coronavirus outbreak, you may also wish to sign this petition: Implement Universal Basic Income to give home & food security through Covid-19

You can find out about asking for a mortgage holiday from lenders here: https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/mortgages-coronavirus-consumers

You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips

Timeline

17 Mar 2020 Petition opened for signatures
27 Mar 2020 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21
Status Rejected
Rejected 27 Mar 2020

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.