This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Petition Extend income replacement schemes to those who don't currently qualify
To address the gaping holes in the self-employed income support scheme (SEISS) and extend support to the desperately struggling newly self-employed, limited company directors and other groups that have been left devastated after seven months with no support.
More details
The first lockdown came into force on the 23 of March 2020 leaving many unable to get their tax return in before the cut-off point of 23 April, meaning they were ineligible for financial support.
Many other workers have been furloughed to 80% of their wage. However, there are at least 3 million self-employed still not eligible, alongside other workers like directors of small limited companies. The self-employed are the backbone of this country and we need financial support!
This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months
Related activity
Government responds to public petition about people excluded from COVID-19 measures
We're writing to let you know that the Government has responded to a public (paper) petition about people excluded from COVID-19 measures, presented to the House of Commons by Patricia Gibson MP, on behalf of residents of the constituency of North Ayrshire and Arran.
The petition urges the Government to bring forward additional measures to support people who have been excluded from UK Government support.
You can read the petition and the Government's response here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-02-22/debates/21022263000054/SupportForPeopleExcludedFromCOVID-19Measures
You can find out more about public (paper) petitions here: https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/sign-a-petition/paper-petitions/
Budget 2021 - support for self-employed
On Wednesday 3 March, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP presented the 2021 Budget, setting out the Government's plans for tax and spending over the next year.
The Budget included new support for the self-employed through the Government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).
The Government announced a fourth SEISS grant, worth 80% of three months’ average trading profits (capped at £7,500), can be claimed from late April. For the first time, self-employed individuals who filed a 2019-20 self-assessment tax return will also be eligible for this grant.
The Government also announced a fifth and final SEISS grant, covering May to September, will be able to be claimed from late July. This grant will be worth 30% of average trading profits (capped at £2,850), unless their turnover has fallen by 30% or more, in which case they will continue to receive a grant worth 80% of average trading profits (capped at £7,500).
You can read a summary of the key measures announced in the Budget here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/budget-2021-what-you-need-to-know
You can read the Chancellor's full Budget Speech to the House of Commons here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/budget-speech-2021
Who is the Chancellor?
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the Government Minister in charge of the Government's tax and spending decisions. They are appointed by the Prime Minister and are one of the most senior Government Ministers.
Find out more about the role and the current Chancellor, Rishi Sunak MP:
https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/chancellor-of-the-exchequer
What is the Budget?
The Budget is a statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, updating MPs on how much the Government is spending, borrowing, and receiving from taxation. The Budget usually happens once per year.
The Budget is also when the Chancellor announces changes to tax and Government spending. This means the Budget is often used to announce new Government policies or changes to existing policies.
Find out more about Parliament's role in scrutinising the Budget:
https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/role/check-and-approve-government-spending-and-taxation/the-budget-and-parliament/