Petition · past parliament

Help self employed during coronavirus by using most recent tax return.

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

The government should use a self-employed worker's most recent tax return to calculate the support they should be given while they cannot work during the COVID-19 pandemic. A worker applies with their UTR number, they're average monthly income is then calculated, and the government then pay 80%.
Employees are given 80% of their salary to help with supporting their families and to pay bills because they cannot work during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the self-employed have to settle with £94 a week statutory sick pay. This is unacceptable. Our proposal is fair, and equal. The self-employed and sole traders are extremely important and skilled workers and should be treated with the same support as the government has given the employed.

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

23 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.