Support for the Self Employed

I have been making representations about the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme since it was first introduced, and I have joined the All Party Parliamentary Group on the topic.

In the House of Commons in June I said:

The self-employment income support scheme is very welcome. It is estimated to help 4,000 people in Wimbledon, but I have been contacted by a number of people who, because they became self-employed last year, do not qualify. They feel they have fallen through the cracks. Will the Treasury look at that? A number of the people affected are starting businesses for the first time and are likely to be the lifeblood of the economy as we recover; a little help now would work. Of course, the same applies to directors of small limited companies. If they were put on the same footing as the self-employment income support scheme, that would mean a grant, which, in some cases, would save their businesses. With that minor tinkering, the scheme could be even better than it already is.​

 

Since the Winter Economy Plan was announced I have been making representations to the Treasury about the comparative level of support through the Job Support Scheme and the Self Employed Income Support Scheme. I will continue to make such representations.

I have also raised these point as Written Parliamentary Questions:

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2020-11-03/110759

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2020-11-03/110758

 

I have also written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to make these points, and have requested a meeting, and have written to the Chancellor on  about the Director’s Income Support Scheme proposal.

Finally, I understand many, but not all, self employed people work in the arts/culture/events industries. I have made a number of speeches in Parliament about this which you can read here: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2020-10-06b.63.0&s=speaker%3A11927#g72.1 and here: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2020-06-25b.1533.0&s=speaker%3A11927#g1536.0

 

 

 

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