Petition · past parliament
Provide Covid-19 financial support for the self-employed to match employees
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
Employees will receive up to £2500/m to preserve income and jobs as a result of Covid-19. The self-employed, on the other hand, are receiving just £400/m.
Delaying tax bills is not enough. Universal credit is not enough.
The Government should extend emergency subsidies to the self-employed.
Delaying tax bills is not enough. Universal credit is not enough.
The Government should extend emergency subsidies to the self-employed.
Employers will receive 80% wage subsidies for up to three months to save jobs and preserve incomes as a result of Covid-19.
The self-employed may be able to defer July's tax payment - but that's meaningless if they're not earning.
Via SSP & Universal Credit the self-employed will get c.£400/m of government support. Employees will get £2500. This gap needs closing.
Most self-employed have provisions for downtime, but this is unprecedented. They need urgent support from this government.
The self-employed may be able to defer July's tax payment - but that's meaningless if they're not earning.
Via SSP & Universal Credit the self-employed will get c.£400/m of government support. Employees will get £2500. This gap needs closing.
Most self-employed have provisions for downtime, but this is unprecedented. They need urgent support from this government.
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
| 22 Mar 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 27 Mar 2020 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Rejected
Rejected
27 Mar 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.