Include self-employed in commitment to pay 80% of earnings during Coronavirus · petition

What the petition asks

I want the government to take action and include self-employed workers in the commitment to paying 80% of earnings. This 80% could be easily calculated and proven for self-employed people via their last tax return figures.

The government has granted that self-employed workers be given access to statutory sick pay via Universal Credit giving them £94.25 per week. At the same time other employees are being guaranteed 80% of their earnings. It cannot be right that an employee earning £25,000 a year could access £20,000 per annum while someone who's self-employed might only access £5,000. Without proper support many self-employed will not survive and will be left without a career to return to.

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