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Self Employed Scheme: Business groups welcome support
Business groups have backed Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s scheme to help self-employed workers through the COVID-19 crisis.
The scheme was announced on 26 March and makes a taxable grant available to self-employed based on an average of their earnings over the past three years.
Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, Director General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said: ‘Many across the UK will be hugely relieved.
‘These new measures will provide essential support to those facing significant uncertainty and loss of income.
‘Given the complexity of the task, it’s understandable this will take time to deliver. Fast clarity on how and when money will reach their bank accounts will help individuals to plan.’
Derek Cribb, CEO of the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE), said: ‘This is an unprecedented package and a very welcome response to our campaign for freelancers and the self-employed.
‘While this assistance is practical and wide-ranging it does not, however, cover all. We will keep working to fill in these gaps.’
Mike Cherry, the National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: ‘This bold support package from the government will give much-needed help to vast numbers of self-employed workers.
‘The community underpins the UK economy. They are the individual risk-takers who don’t expect the same benefits as employees.
‘Many tax-payers will be helped by today’s measures will be relieved. Although the deal is not perfect, the government has moved a very long way today.’
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