Petition · past parliament

Improve provisions for self-employed people affected by Covid19

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

Govt should at minimum offer a Universal Basic Uncome for those Self Employed (SE) who have lost over a certain % of monthly income due to Covid19, & should consider extending the provisions announced for other workers to the SE during the Covid19 restriction period. Universal Credit is unsuitable.
Covid19 means many self-employed can't work.
Infection control measures mean client cancellations & work locations forced shut.
The SE contribute millions in tax/NI & are a vital part of tradecraft, leisure & personal services but are the only group of workers ignored by Govt emergency provisions.
Universal Credit is too complex & unsuitable - eg it requires assessment, a delay, it's means tested so penalises SE who saved for their tax bill, it includes partner income, etc. - we need more help!

Why it was rejected

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

You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:

NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

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

You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Find out more and watch the Committee put questions suggested by petitioners to Government Ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/145767/committee-question-deputy-chief-medical-officer-and-ministers-on-coronavirus-response/

Read letters asking further questions of Government Ministers: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/publications/3/correspondence/

Timeline

20 Mar 2020 Petition opened for signatures
31 Mar 2020 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21
Status Rejected
Rejected 31 Mar 2020

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