I am being expected to live on no income for a year, says Sheffield businessman

James McKayJames McKay
James McKay
A YORKSHIRE businessman is calling on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to provide financial relief to taxpayers who are currently excluded from Government support packages which have been implemented in response to the pandemic.

James McKay, who is a zoologist based near Sheffield, said he had received no support since his last payday on March 6.

Mr McKay is a supporter of the campaign group ExcludedUK, which claims that a huge number of individuals and small businesses, including a vast number of self-employed people, have been unjustly excluded from any meaningful Government support since March.

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Mr McKay told The Yorkshire Post: “My business is working with animals and my overheads are the same now as they were when I was earning.

“Due to a lack of funds, I am in danger of having to get rid of my animals, as I am living on debt - loans, credit cards and gifts from friends and family.

“I don’t know how much longer I can keep the animals,” he added.

“I have worked and paid taxes for over 50 years and feel totally betrayed,’’ he added “All I have ever wanted was parity with PAYE (Pay as You Earn) people.

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“The Government should ensure everyone has sufficient income to be able to live. As it is, we have had nothing since March and there is nothing in the latest funding to March 2021, which means we are expected to live on no income for at least a year.

“I am in debt, simply because I have to live. I cannot see how I will be able to repay these debts. I’m very worried and anxious about the future.”

Mr McKay said he was excluded because of the “50 per cent rule” ; which states “that if more than 50 per cent of profits come from other than the business, you get nothing”.

He added: “Because I have invested in lots of new equipment for the business, and have large overheads, especially caring for the animals - I have a standing order for £600 per month simply for the electricity for the animals - 51 per cent of my profits, not turnover, come from my pension. No such rule exists for PAYE workers.

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“I have worked and paid taxes for over 50 years, and the first time I need help, I am excluded. Why am I being punished for obeying all the rules?”

Aron Padley, the founder of ExcludedUK, said: “We want the Government to listen, we want them to recognise they’ve made a huge mistake and we want them to come to the table and meet with us.

“We want parity, nothing more and nothing less. It’s time they recognised these gaps and closed them.”

Earlier this month, the Government revealed it was increasing its support to the self-employed over the coming months and ensuring people get paid faster than previously planned.

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The Government increased its support under the third instalment of the UK-wide Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, with people receiving 80% of average trading profits for November.

Grants will also be paid faster than previously planned – with the claims window opening at the end of November rather than the middle of December

The increase means there will be £4.5 billion of support for the self-employed between November and January, the Government said.

More businesses will also be able to benefit from Government loan schemes which have been extended to the end of January, while firms can ‘top up’ existing Bounce Back Loans should they need additional finance.

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For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-increases-support-for-self-employed-across-the-uk

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