Give our Self-Employed the same support as employed workers affected by Covid19 · petition

What the petition asks

The government recently announced financial measures of up to 80% to secure workers wages. This was the right move and very welcome. Self-employed workers need the same level of financial support to be able to continue to support their families and maintain their economic security.

The government have put in place securities for small and medium size businesses including tax breaks, grants and bank loans, for single operating self-employed people these are not accessible. The promise of statutory sick pay of £94.25 a week is not a viable level of support nor should these workers be pushed onto Universal Credit as system which is struggling already. 5 million self-employed workers could be paid 80% of their annual earnings via the tax system or a Universal Basic Income

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