Petition · past parliament
Pay the self-employed who cannot work due to Covid-19 equally to PAYE workers
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
We are a 10th of the workforce with families, mortgages or rent to pay and bills. We need to eat. We pay tax and NI as everyone else does. Do not discriminate against us and condemn us to unnecessary suffering and hardship. Please rectify this devastating decision with immediate effect.
Many self employed people live hand to mouth and are very vulnerable. Some also have challenges with mental and physical health, or have neurological differences that makes it hard for them to work in PAYE settings and have worked hard to be be independent. Even the most well and able will suffer under the current proposals. Do not turn you back on your self-employed citizens.
Pay us 80% of our average income based on our last tax return up to £2,500, the same as the PAYE workers.
Pay us 80% of our average income based on our last tax return up to £2,500, the same as the PAYE workers.
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
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.