Petition · past parliament
Give small-business owners income coverage equal to the employed & self-employed
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
During the Coronavirus interruption, we want the Government to provide income cover for limited company directors, based on 80% of all earnings from our Self-Assessment tax return - taking into account dividends, not just PAYE.
The Government is covering 80% of income, up to £2,500/month, for both the employed & self-employed.
However for many small-business owners, who are paid through a mix of PAYE and dividends, only their PAYE may be covered - assuming they're allowed to ‘furlough’, as legally a company must have an active director.
This means small-business owners won’t receive the same support as other employed & self-employed people, despite paying 19% corporation tax, 7.5% dividends tax & any PAYE income tax.
However for many small-business owners, who are paid through a mix of PAYE and dividends, only their PAYE may be covered - assuming they're allowed to ‘furlough’, as legally a company must have an active director.
This means small-business owners won’t receive the same support as other employed & self-employed people, despite paying 19% corporation tax, 7.5% dividends tax & any PAYE income tax.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
You may wish to sign these petitions calling for the same action.
Pay self employed workers a wage due to lack or earnings caused by COVID-19: Pay self employed workers a wage due to lack of earnings caused by COVID-19.
Provide COVID19 income support for the newly self-employed, without HMRC records: Provide COVID19 income support for the newly self-employed, without HMRC records
Remove the £50k earnings limit for self-employed to access government funding: Remove the £50k earnings limit for self-employed to access government funding
Coronavirus Support Package for Directors / Shareholders of small Limited Co's: Coronavirus Support Package for Directors / Shareholders of small Limited Co's.
Get HMRC to refund the Self-Employed their Jan 2020 1st Tax Payment on Account: Get HMRC to refund the Self-Employed their Jan 2020 1st Tax Payment on Account
Bring forward COVID-19 Self-employment grants to April 2020: Bring forward COVID-19 Self-employment grants to April 2020
You can find out about what 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 may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more and watch the Committee put questions suggested by petitioners to Government Ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/145767/committee-question-deputy-chief-medical-officer-and-ministers-on-coronavirus-response/
Read correspondence with Government Ministers asking further questions: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/publications/3/correspondence/
UK Parliament Disclaimer: this e-mail is confidential to the intended recipient. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and delete it from your system. Any unauthorised use, disclosure, or copying is not permitted. This e-mail has been checked for viruses, but no liability is accepted for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this e-mail. This e-mail address is not secure, is not encrypted and should not be used for sensitive data.
Pay self employed workers a wage due to lack or earnings caused by COVID-19: Pay self employed workers a wage due to lack of earnings caused by COVID-19.
Provide COVID19 income support for the newly self-employed, without HMRC records: Provide COVID19 income support for the newly self-employed, without HMRC records
Remove the £50k earnings limit for self-employed to access government funding: Remove the £50k earnings limit for self-employed to access government funding
Coronavirus Support Package for Directors / Shareholders of small Limited Co's: Coronavirus Support Package for Directors / Shareholders of small Limited Co's.
Get HMRC to refund the Self-Employed their Jan 2020 1st Tax Payment on Account: Get HMRC to refund the Self-Employed their Jan 2020 1st Tax Payment on Account
Bring forward COVID-19 Self-employment grants to April 2020: Bring forward COVID-19 Self-employment grants to April 2020
You can find out about what 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 may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more and watch the Committee put questions suggested by petitioners to Government Ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/145767/committee-question-deputy-chief-medical-officer-and-ministers-on-coronavirus-response/
Read correspondence with Government Ministers asking further questions: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/publications/3/correspondence/
UK Parliament Disclaimer: this e-mail is confidential to the intended recipient. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and delete it from your system. Any unauthorised use, disclosure, or copying is not permitted. This e-mail has been checked for viruses, but no liability is accepted for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this e-mail. This e-mail address is not secure, is not encrypted and should not be used for sensitive data.
Timeline
| 27 Mar 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 15 Apr 2020 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Rejected
Rejected
15 Apr 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.