Self Employed and no foreseeable money coming in

The Government seriously need to rethink about us Self Employed & Freelancers and such like - Both me and my wife feel we've been left out to dry. Both of us work as a musicians (I gig, she teaches) and we also work as community arts practitioners, mainly delivering art and music workshops in schools and in the local community, and charity organisations, all of our work and contracts have been cancelled.

Anyone self -employed on here feel the same way? Are in a similar situation where they feel let down by this this Government ? If they can offer 80% of pay to PAYE workers then something similar has to be offered to the Self -employed - I cannot support my family on the £90 odd quid a week as being currently offered through Universal Credit.

 

Yeah mate It’s **** but I believe there doing something about it and it will be out in the nxt couple of days. Got this last night from my accountant.


COVID 19 update

Whilst it has not been announced yet, and details have not yet emerged, a parliamentary document has been made available giving rise to what they are planning for the self employed and freelancers (definition of freelancers not mentioned)

The secretary of state must by regulations introduce a scheme of statutory self employment pay:

The scheme must make provision for payments to be made out of public funds to individuals who are
a) self employed
b) freelancers

The payments made are to be set so that the net monthly earnings of an individual as above do not fall below -
a) 80% of monthly net earnings averaged over last 3 years or
b) £2917
Whichever is lower

No payment will exceed £2917 per month

Fantastic news im sure you will all agree, and we will be following the guidance in depth and updating further

 

Serious question mate - not an attempt to be 'arsey' in any way, but is there anything stopping yourself and your good lady doing a basic job that you, probably, wouldn't consider under normal circumstances.

The supermarket are crying out for new staff and 2 x 40 hours (even on minimum wage of £7.70 an hour that comes to £616 per week.

Hardly a fortune but a LOT better than the £90 odd a week that you refer to.

I would have thought that it would be far more sensible for individuals to ask themselves what they can do to minimise the impact of the crisis on their families, rather than just complain that the government aren't giving them enough in 'hand outs'.

 

Lots of people are in life changing positions at the moment and I do feel sorry for everyone that this situation has affected we've just got to have a little bit of patience, listen to what the government tells us to do and wait until they get around to finding solutions for us all. I expect they are working through these problems but everything takes time and just hopefully everyone comes through this awful period. Stay safe folks and let's do what the British do best. Lots of love to each and everyone. X

 

You may have already seen this but I responded to that yesterday ...

... not that I'm suggesting you're 'lower orders'

"The government have, over the years, encouraged people to be self employed, start a business and sanctioned zero hour contracts, etc.

Just as they baled out the Lloyd's Names, the investment bankers, etc they should now help the 'lower orders'.

After all it was many of those people who helped the government to an election victory and huge majority.

They are 'Johnson's people' and they should rightly expect him to make their situation comfortable."

 

Sorry mate, haven't been on here as often as usual, so I missed your post, btw I'm proud to be 'lower order' hope you and your family are keeping safe and well !

 

Cheers Para, we're all fine thanks, best wishes to you and yours.

Good luck with all of this, strange times.

 

Yes mate there are family health issues why we couldn't do that right now.

 

Another daft question
The people getting 80% wages off the government
Will they pay tax and insurance on that

 

Bit of a worry on this is that loads of SE people tend to minimise earnings on their tax return. I remember when I first started up and was self employed years ago, some of the things I was able to do (ltd company, dividends) were the only reason we were able to rapidly expand.

But my 'salary' was about £8k so I hope it's based on the net amount people are taking home.

Also I feel sorry for my barber. He only takes cash and I doubt he declares much. I know it's not ok, I know people will say it's his own fault, but he employs 4 lads and they're all going to be left with nothing here. Not sure anything can be done though.

 

I am waiting to find out a lot of these things too. Support for employers is ambiguous and we don't know what is what yet.

 

Yeah it’s going to be difficult for se cause the government will have to decide how much there were earning before this all started
Good luck hope it works out ok

 

Cheers. We're actually ok cash-flow wise for now but like a lot of companies we're reliant on things eventually starting up in order to pay staff in the long haul. If sport doesn't get back on the telly, basically we're ****ed

We're actually close to some further investment which would help solidify things for a longer period, but that relies on our investors still wanting to push on even though we'relargely agreed. All very difficult to predict at the moment.

 

On the form that’s available ( my daughter has it from somewhere) it’s asking for gross earnings, why?

 

I'm self employed and I feel the same way. Single parent and I can't earn any money now but I still need to pay to keep a roof over our heads and feed my bairns etc.

Hopefully something will be announced soon.

 

Probably to avoid this in truth. It doesn't really help anyone if small self-sustaining personal businesses who have been canny with tax to make it a living don't get any help, so they'll probably avoid the dilemma and go by what you earned. Because of the cap it should be fine.

 

Hi mate how do people go on who are self employed and are still working but are above retirement age?

 

Tricky one that

 

Those that have fiddled the system by declaring less than they earn(we all know people that do it) are ****ed. The honest ones will probably get 80% of the declared earnings like the rest of us.
I’m guessing here mind.

 

Think something will be announced later today which may help.Difficult for you,hopefully help will be available very soon.