Provide 80% pay to the 5 million self-employed during the Covid-19 crisis · petition

What the petition asks

Provide the same financial support to 5 million self-employed people that has been agreed for the employed. The current offer of support for the self-employed is totally unacceptible and will prevent people from staying off work as required.

The government has provided a fund to ensure all employed workers receive 80% wages while the Covid-19 outbreak prevents them working. 5 million self-employed people deserve the same support. Without that support, they will need to continue to work, risking themselves and others to provide for their families. An equal measure for all is the only acceptable solution.

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

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