Liberal Democrats urge Government to extend income support for self-employed

The Liberal Democrats 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 employees, preventing redundancies.

Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey, 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 announced 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 Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

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

Cllr Tom Morrison, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet Member in Stockport, said:

“There are still millions of people that need significant help though, such as those that recently moved jobs or the self-employed. The Government must look out for these people, currently the system has forgotten them and it’s simply unfair.”

Cllr Lisa Smart, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Stockport, 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 Liberal Democrats led the campaign for a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, which finally opened this week. 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.”

The Liberal Democrats are urging people to support the campaign here: https://www.libdems.org.uk/furlough

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