Petition · past parliament
Amend the Government workers’ support package to not penalise the gig economy
Rejected
15 signatures
What the petition asks
The Government is helping employers pay 80% of their employee's wages but the self-employed and agency workers should too be provided the same financial assistance to cover their loss of income due to COVID-19. The Government states those struggling can apply for Universal Credit.
But not every self-employed person or worker will be eligible for Universal Credit due to their individual circumstances as it is a mean-tested benefit (which factors in income and capital). Yet, employees income and capital is being disregarded and are being financially assisted.
The Government are penalising the self-employed and agency workers and in fact encouraging them to go to work and run the risk of carrying and spreading COVID-19.
The Government are penalising the self-employed and agency workers and in fact encouraging them to go to work and run the risk of carrying and spreading COVID-19.
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
| 21 Mar 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 27 Mar 2020 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
15
Status
Rejected
Rejected
27 Mar 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.