The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) has said that as well as extending the furlough scheme, the government should also extend the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).
They have warned that too often throughout the pandemic, the self-employed have been “an afterthought” for the government, receiving less comprehensive, later support.
IPSE said after the government announced that it would be extending the Job Retention and Loan Schemes from March until April 2021.
Andy Chamberlain, Director of Policy at IPSE said, “It’s right for the government to extend the furlough scheme, but it must not forget about the self-employed: it must extend SEISS too.
“Too often throughout the pandemic, the self-employed have been an afterthought in government policy making, receiving later and patchier support. At least 1.5 million self-employed have fallen through the gaps in government support – particularly directors of limited companies and the newly self-employed.
“We urge government to extend SEISS and also finally fix the gaps in it to get support to these still desperately struggling groups. As the extension of the furlough scheme shows, we are far from the end of this and the self-employed need just as much protection and support through the coming months as the rest of the workforce.”
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