Self-employed Persons: Financial Support

Barclay acknowledges the distress among self-employed individuals and outlines a comprehensive plan, including business interruption loans up to £5 million for SMEs, VAT deferrals, job retention schemes, and universal credit access. He stresses the complexity of addressing the needs of all self-employed people while ensuring targeted support.

Davey reiterates that self-employed individuals are running out of money, highlighting that 80% are sole traders with many earning less than £10,000 annually. He calls for an urgent package of help equivalent to support offered to employees, including a temporary capped scheme without clawback mechanisms.

Brady recognises the complexity but urges the Government to provide at least an interim solution quickly for those desperate for help and clarity.

Urges the Government to set a deadline for proposing a solution by the end of the week. Calls for equivalent support for self-employed workers as offered to employees, reassurance for those in desperate straits, and consideration of agency workers who face uncertainty.

Welcomes the constructive tone but emphasises the complexity of targeting support at the right population. Highlights ongoing meetings to address concerns raised by Members, and acknowledges the need for a deliverable scheme while considering operational challenges.

Calls for a simple system like a universal basic income to rapidly provide support to those in need without complex targeting or clawback mechanisms. Urges the Government to focus on simplicity and speed.

Requests that the government look at international examples, increase weekly sick pay to real living wage levels, remove lower earnings limits for qualification for sick pay, and end the five-week wait for universal credit payments. Emphasises sorting out who should be self-employed versus directly employed after the crisis.

Highlights challenges faced by seasonal businesses in tourism and recreational charter fishing due to payment methods that do not qualify them for existing aid, urging tailored solutions.

Draws attention to discrepancies where one wealthy freelancer benefits from support while others go hungry, advocating for a more equitable approach that prioritises those in real need.

Questions whether the application of the loan charge should be suspended during the emergency period to stop self-employed people from being hounded.

Expresses concern for sole traders who are crucial in many communities and how households will cope without their services, emphasising the need for advice on what is safe to do.

Urges the Treasury to adopt a broad approach similar to that taken for employed workers, suggesting acceptance of some overreach in support measures to aid self-employed individuals.

Calls for immediate backdated support measures for self-employed sole traders and freelancers, noting the severe impact on those who have already lost work due to the crisis.

Raises concerns about the anxiety around taking out loans and draws attention to a specific case of a self-employed wedding photographer, Anna, urging consideration for such individuals before making announcements.

Points out that small traders are applying for universal credit due to desperation, causing blockages in the system, and emphasises the need for immediate measures rather than delay.

Adds his voice to calls for support measures to be extended to self-employed individuals, citing a high concentration of such workers in his constituency.

Raises the issue of newly under-employed self-employed people struggling with underlying health conditions and family responsibilities, asking how they can manage without income.

Calls for a clear commitment to provide support measures similar in magnitude to those for employed workers, ensuring any help is taxable to allow recovery of overpaid funds.

Acknowledged the challenges faced by self-employed individuals and confirmed that further measures are being considered, including meeting with industry leaders to discuss potential support. Emphasised ongoing work on mortgage and renter relief but also recognised the need for action on other fixed costs such as utilities and insurance.

Expressed understanding of the difficulty in addressing self-employed support measures quickly. Proposed that constituents should reduce outgoing payments where possible, and suggested the Government could work with other sectors to offer relief on fixed costs like utilities and insurance.

Stressed the urgency of action for the self-employed given Brighton and Hove's reliance on such workers. Questioned if a deadline exists for introducing new measures, warning that universal credit would push freelancers into greater financial insecurity.

Welcomed the Treasury's work in supporting self-employed individuals and urged the Minister to confirm that support measures will be announced by the end of the week for local freelancers.

Advocated for putting urgent support measures in place despite concerns over misuse, emphasising the need to prevent desperate individuals from going without food and other essentials.

Inquired about the eligibility of self-employed people for business interruption loans, and whether the scheme would be extended to include additional financial institutions like OakNorth and Aldermore.

Highlighted the challenges faced by mobile catering businesses that do not qualify for existing support measures. Requested amendments to support this critical sector which could also help provide sustenance for key workers.

Asked about council tax suspensions and urgent support schemes for families where one partner works in the NHS while another is self-employed, highlighting the childcare challenges these households face due to school closures.

Called on the Government to encourage banks to offer more generous overdraft facilities and tax bill offsets for self-employed workers until new support measures are implemented, referencing past government actions in financial crises.

Suggested that planned support would be inadequate due to the lack of employer-provided benefits and potential seasonal income fluctuations. Asked if these points will influence ongoing discussions about new support measures.

Asked for a clear commitment on timing for future self-employed support measures, highlighting the urgent need for certainty to alleviate immediate financial pressures faced by constituents.

The Minister of State for the Cabinet Office stated that proposals to support the self-employed and viable businesses will be brought forward in the coming days. He emphasised the strengthening of the welfare safety net and measures taken to support the economy as a whole, acknowledging concerns raised by other Members.

Asked for bespoke support packages for fishermen who are self-employed, noting the collapse in markets due to closed pubs, restaurants and overseas trade. Highlighted the need to find ways to sell fish to people who could buy it to feed their families.

Asked for assurances that help coming will constitute 'Whatever it takes' for self-employed individuals, echoing previous government pledges. Questioned the possibility of not sitting next week and whether the Government might avoid accountability in the House.

Asked for reassurance that self-employed individuals who have already taken social distancing measures will not be penalised, citing examples like hairdressers avoiding care homes and taxi drivers and driving instructors.

Requested help for farmers who are self-employed and facing financial ruin due to low prices for lambs and beef cattle during lambing season. Emphasised the importance of support given the current economic conditions.

Asked for further clarity on how builders, plumbers, electricians, and plasterers should conduct themselves at work or whether they should be working at all. Raised concerns about social isolation among these workers.