The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) has welcomed new grants for businesses affected by local lockdowns, but warned the support will do little for many self-employed.
IPSE has urged the government to match this support, which is based on the value of companies’ business premises – with targeted support for self-employed affected by local lockdowns.
Andy Chamberlain, Director of Policy at IPSE said, “We welcome the fact the government is supporting businesses affected by local lockdowns. However, although this will help some self-employed people with business premises, it will leave the great majority out in the cold.
“Government must ensure that the self-employed do not fall through the gaps in a patchwork of local lockdowns. We urge the government to match this scheme with targeted support for self-employed people across the country whose businesses are affected by local lockdowns.
“Already, one and a half million self-employed have missed out on the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. Many of these businesses are hanging by a thread: finding themselves shut into local lockdowns without any support could be the final straw for them.”
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