News
MPs urge Government to reach out to forgotten millions
MPs across the House of Commons are leading the calls for the UK Government to provide much-needed support to professionals excluded from the multiple support schemes during the coronavirus crisis.
There are as many as three million freelancers and limited companies who fall outside both the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) in terms of eligibility.
A string of online petitions were submitted to the Government, imploring MPs and Government to discuss the issue of millions of professionals that are desperate for financial aid.
For many weeks, TaxAssist Accountants has also been highlighting the plight of the millions who have not been covered by the Government’s aid packages. Most notably, the self-employed who started out in business after 5th April 2019 and limited company directors whose dividend incomes did not qualify for grant support.
A new organisation has been formed to provide a crucial voice to those missing out on financial aid. Excluded UK believes “there is no rationale or fair justification for these exclusions”.
Furthermore, the Excluded UK’s spokesperson says the Chancellor’s “repeated assertion that everyone has been or can be helped in some way is simply not the case”.
Conservative MP, Theresa Villiers, specifically mentioned struggling freelancers in the House of Commons, saying there are “many workers who fall between the gaps”. Villiers alluded to those who “may not have been in their PAYE contract at the right time to be furloughed” as well as those “not earning enough of their income through self-employment to qualify through the SEISS”.
Liberal Democrat MP, Jamie Stone, also stood up for the “taxi drivers” and “people in the creative industries” who are “being excluded from the Government’s rescue measures”.
Mr Stone added that most of these “are not eligible for Universal Credit” either. His general “plea” was to urge “the Government to try to help these people”.
If you are a director or shareholder of a small limited company that’s missed out on support packages for the employed and self-employed thus far, sign the e-petition for a COVID-19 package in line with the SEISS and Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
For our latest COVID-19 news and guidance for your business, visit our dedicated Coronavirus Hub.
We will be updating it regularly as we continue to monitor and digest all the latest information
Date published 29 Jun 2020 | Last updated 8 Oct 2020
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