Petition · past parliament

Give self-employed people a full living allowance during the Coronavirus crisis

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

The Government needs to provide ALL self-employed people and those on zero hours contracts with a full and immediate living allowance at the same level as those who are employed. Failure to do so will cause terrible damage to people’s lives and their ability to recover after this crisis ends.
Nearly 5 million self-employed people in the UK not to mention countless numbers of people on zero hours contracts have been shown little consideration during the Coronavirus outbreak being offered virtually no assistance in helping them to make ends meet and support their families. Employed people and businesses have been given support from the start of the crisis including a guarantee of at least 80% of their wages. The same needs to be given to the self-employed immediately.

Why it was rejected

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

Since this petition was started, the Government has said that most self-employed people can claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months.

You can find out who is eligible and how to apply here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

You can read the Government’s announcement here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-gives-support-to-millions-of-self-employed-individuals

You can find out what other 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 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

20 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.