Self-employed urgently need support or coronavirus crisis will continue - The Yorkshire Post says

Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s historic announcement on Friday that the Government would cover 80 per cent of the wages of employees if necessary during the coronavirus crisis brought immense relief to millions that there will be a safety net allowing them to cover their bills during the pandemic.
Construction workers in Edinburgh the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA WireConstruction workers in Edinburgh the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
Construction workers in Edinburgh the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
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But one group yet to be offered similar measures are the five million self-employed workers - from builders to B&B owners - who are facing a financial cliff-edge.

The results of the current lack of a parallel scheme for such people were seen this morning as self-employed construction workers poured onto sites across the country.

Construction workers at the Waterside Quarter development site in Maidenhead, Berkshire, the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA WireConstruction workers at the Waterside Quarter development site in Maidenhead, Berkshire, the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
Construction workers at the Waterside Quarter development site in Maidenhead, Berkshire, the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
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Their stress and anxiety will undoubtedly be compounded by the fact that their presence at work risks not only catching coronavirus themselves but also passing it on their families.

Facilitating a job retention scheme for the self-employed is undoubtedly more complex than for implementing one for company employees but in such an unprecedented crisis, it simply has to be done if the lockdown of the country to prevent the further spread of the virus is to be fully effective.

Basing payments on past income reports to HMRC and providing coverage of up to £2,500 per month in the same way that employees have received would be a useful starting point.

Equally, company bosses who are insisting that projects continue when lives are at risk and are putting workers in an invidious position also need to seriously reflect on their actions.

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On a day where Mayor of London Sadiq Khan aimed the blame squarely at those jamming the London Underground, claiming it was clear many were not essential workers, it is simple: work is clearly still essential to those people risking their lives to keep their families fed and a roof over their heads.

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