Lib Dems urge Government to extend income support for self-employed

The Lib Dems are urging the Government to extend income support for self-employed workers after they declared victory in convincing the Government to extend furlough payments for employers, preventing redundancies.

Acting Leader of the Lib Dems, Ed Davey MP, who is asking the public to join his campaign to protect workers warned "taxi drivers, hairdressers, cleaners, childcare providers and millions of other self-employed people are still not getting the help they need."

The call comes after the Chancellor annouced the Job Retention Scheme, currently covering nearly a quarter of UK jobs, will continue to October with employees receiving 80% of their monthly wages up to £2,500.

Acting Leader of the Lib Dems, Ed Davey, said:

"The Furlough scheme has helped protect jobs and it is something the Lib Dems have campaigned to protect. So I am delighted the Government has done just that and adopted many of our ideas."

"However, there are still millions of people that need significant help through this challenging period. Some who moved jobs, but were not on their new employer's payroll by mid-March have fallen into a crack in the system and need much more help."

"The lockdown has also been extremely difficult for many self employed people. Taxi drivers, hairdressers, cleaners, childcare providers and millions of other self-employed people are still not getting the help they need."

Lib Dem spokesman for Woking, Councillor Will Forster, added:

"The Coronavirus crisis has left countless families facing financial hardship with unemployment on the rise. We must protect families and our economy for the long term."

"The Lib Dems led the campaign for a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme which will finally open tomorrow. But, the Government must extend this scheme too. Self-employed people have waited far too long for this support and they must not see it snatched away too early."