The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) has responded to new government statistics on the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) by calling for an extension to support which is ‘focused, flexible and fair’.
Today’s figures show two million individuals have so far benefited from the second and final round of grants. IPSE warned that without further support, many businesses will fail, while approximately 1.5m self-employed have been excluded from the scheme altogether.
Andy Chamberlain, Director of Policy at IPSE said, “SEISS has been a vital lifeline for those who are eligible and we strongly backed the decision to extend it for a second time in August. But now is not the time to withdraw support completely. Self-employed businesses are still reeling from the economic impact of coronavirus and many of them were excluded from SEISS because of its strict eligibility criteria.
“We are calling on government to introduce a new round of support which is focused, flexible and fair to ensure that struggling businesses – many of which missed out the first time – can access the help they need now.
“As a second wave of coronavirus approaches, local lockdowns and individual quarantining measures are inevitable. Government must do more to support businesses that will be impacted by these restrictions.”
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