Give Self-Employed people the same Coronavirus help packages as for employees. · petition

What the petition asks

Self-Employed people are taxed the same way as employees, but they do not get the same help to survive the Coronavirus crises. Self-Employed people treated the same way when it comes to taxes, but not when it comes to benefits, which is unfair especially in these trying times.

Extend all packages offered to employed people to self-employed as well. The 80% wage coverage should be applied to self-employed people too who were affected by the Coronavirus.

Offering up to £2500 a month for employees and less then £500 for self-employed who are in the same situation is not fair or just. Please rectify this and treat all workers the same way to help the over 5 million people the government left behind.

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

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