Petition · past parliament

Include sole traders within the 80% salary relief benefit.

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

with over 5 million self employed sole traders in the UK, we are being hit with the same issues as PAYE employees. Due to social isolation and the uncertainty of what is to come, many sole traders are having work cancelled or postponed, leaving the without any real means of support during this time
Please, we implore you to  include sole traders in with the relief measures to pay  80% of wages for those sole traders who cannot work, up to £2,500 a month. Announced in the corona virus update on 10/03/2020  

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 about 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

We have published a number of petitions calling on the Government to increase support for self-employed people, and you may wish to sign these petitions.

Pay self employed workers a wage due to lack or earnings caused by COVID-19: Pay self employed workers a wage due to lack of earnings caused by COVID-19.

Provide COVID19 income support for the newly self-employed, without HMRC records: Provide COVID19 income support for the newly self-employed, without HMRC records

Remove the £50k earnings limit for self-employed to access government funding: Remove the £50k earnings limit for self-employed to access government funding

Coronavirus Support Package for Directors / Shareholders of small Limited Co's: Coronavirus Support Package for Directors / Shareholders of small Limited Co's.

Get HMRC to refund the Self-Employed their Jan 2020 1st Tax Payment on Account: Get HMRC to refund the Self-Employed their Jan 2020 1st Tax Payment on Account

Bring forward COVID-19 Self-employment grants to April 2020: Bring forward COVID-19 Self-employment grants to April 2020


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
20 Apr 2020 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21
Status Rejected
Rejected 20 Apr 2020

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