Sensible thread for self-employed people

[Bflatmajorsharp]

Could we have one please?

You know, where we don't have to continually confirm that yes we pay the same taxes as employed people, yes we pay slightly less NI but don't have access to SSP or pension contributions, yes the HMRC does know what we earn as we submit a tax return each year.

It's really struck me this weekend that offering no financial support to the 5million SE/gig workers is a public health issue.

People are still going to work because they can't afford not to. Some London tubes were packed today with people who cannot social distance, not because their jobs are vital but because they cannot afford not to work.

I hope that the govt address this sharpish. It's so dangerous.

[ArriettyJones]

Yes please. DH and I both s/e with rapidly emptying diaries.

Did you see this?

www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/mar/22/rishi-sunak-under-pressure-to-bail-out-self-employed

[NewNameChange2020]

Following.

I agree. Myself and my DH are both SE in our own small businesses. His could fold any day, mine is closed down and unlikely to re-open. However I cannot get ESA or UC as it says in the criteria it does not take into account a partners earnings, yet when you get further into the claim it does. Because he's still got an income I get nothing. His could stop tonight, then I'd be able to claim but have to wait at least 5 weeks. Worrying as our household is based on 2 incomes and his alone won't fully carry us. Tearing my hair out!

[BBCONEANDTWO]

I was under the impression that SE could claim Universal credits, which is not a lot but something. I don't believe any of the government claims that they will pay 80% of employees wages - it'll never happen.

[WhiteChocTwix]

I'm registered with a very supportive temping agency and they are looking into rights for temporary workers for me. I was in the middle of an assignment which was meant to last March and April when it ended last Monday during Boris' press conference. If they find anything useful out will share info!

[BarbaraofSeville]

I was under the impression that SE could claim Universal credit

You won't get any money unless you are single or have DC and your partner is a low earner. If you have a working partner on more than a very low income, their income will mean that you don't qualify, but you still have to pay the same household costs - yes you might be able to defer mortgage and credit card payments, but you'll still have a hole in your budget and no help compared with employed people, unless the government pulls their fingers out and address the inequality in provision.

After all, when this mess is behind us and taxes have to go up, everyone will pay the same higher tax rates.

[viccat]

They had an item on this on BBC London news this afternoon - lots of people still getting onto packed public transport because they have no choice (no income if they don't work).

I don't qualify for any help because I have savings. Very fortunate to have money set aside of course but it feels unfair when I've been paying taxes every year and get nothing at all. I work remotely anyway but two future projects are currently uncertain due to all this.

[Bflatmajorsharp]

Well, still no financial help for the self-employed.

Honestly, what will people on zero hour contracts, those whose income has just dropped through the door and countless other SE people do?

I mean do tomorrow, when they won't earn any money if they don't go to work?

It's a public health issue that is just not being taken up by central government.

[ArriettyJones]

I know one of the select committees was inviting evidence from representatives of self-employment heavy industries today.

Maybe news will follow in a few days.

[MeanwhileAtNumber98]

Joining please. My dh has two businesses, one that had to close on Friday night and another that is not essential.

[Juicyfrooty]

Dh will still be going in to work as long as he can, hes a labourer on a building site. We cannot afford for him not to go.

I'm on a zero hours contract and have gone from working around 20-25 hours a week to 2-4 hours a week the past 2 weeks.

My poor niece is 20 weeks pregnant and a self employed hairdresser. The shop shes rents a chair in closed today and she has been desperately trying to get some supplies together so she can see her regular clients on a mobile basis. She doesn't want to and knows she shouldn't really be doing it but is desperate.

[StormzyinaTCup]

Could they apply a similar principal to PAYE, everyone who is self employed submits a tax return so HMRC look at your earnings income for 18/19 divide that by 12 and pay 80% of that per month up to a maximum of £2,500?

[Juicyfrooty]

I'd be happy with the equivalent of minimum wage, universal credit is such a tiny amount it's like a slap in the face.

[EightNineTen]

I'm self employed but have only been so since March 2019, and my self-employed earnings for 18/19 were £200! I hope you have an option, if that's the way they go, to use 2019/20 tax year earnings which I can file as soon as the year ends.

[StormzyinaTCup]

Eightnineten was very much thinking on the hoof (I'm self employed myself) so that is a flaw in my plan. Maybe the ability to submit copy invoices/proof of income for 19/20 prior to being able to submit 19/20 return?(which is annoyingly only two weeks away).

[EightNineTen]

Doubly annoying for me is that I'd just been offered an amazing contract that would have increased my earnings by a fifth. Hey ho!

[StormzyinaTCup]

Eightnineten😱 that's the sort of bad luck that usually happens to me!

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

Childminder here- forcibly closed with immediate effect and still no help. How do they think people can survive?

[tigerbear]

Following.
Both DP and I SE, neither of us can really work now (I have a recruitment business, he goes into people’s homes to do decorating, odd jobs, electrical work)
We’ve just spent our savings of thousands on paying towards our wedding that’s supposed to take place in July but prob won’t now

[Bflatmajorsharp]

That's encouraging ArrietyJones.

UC if you're even able to claim isn't realistic.

It is putting people, like JuicyFooty's neice in the position of continuing to work when they know that they shouldn't and actually would like to be able to follow social distancing guidance.

There must be lots of people who 'should' be self-isolating because a member of their household is symptomatic, but are continuing to work while they can because that's the only way they have of putting food on table.

Even if they haven't finalised the details, it would be helpful if Johnson et al would at least let people know that there is some sort of plan.

[Juicyfrooty]

DP's site has now been confirmed as closing from tomorrow. Looks like tomorrow will be spent trying to arrange payment holidays on as many bill's as possible.

This is so shit

[BarbaraofSeville]

My DPs site too. Agency machine driver. It's a good thing I'm the main earner and will still get paid. I'm aware we are very fortunate but it makes me so angry how people like DP have been thrown under a bus and many of them have families to support.

[Juicyfrooty]

This is doing the rounds on Twitter tonight, I think it's a lib dem amendment. I hope something along these lines does get passed.

[zsazsajuju]

The self employed do pay less in tax than the employed. That’s why they are not entitled to ssp. It’s not right to expect the same benefits as the employed when you benefit from paying less tax.

[Juicyfrooty]

The self employed dont get sick pay, maternity/paternity pay, pension top ups to name a few.

My DH has 20 Percent tax deducted every week from his wage under the CIS scheme. He pays national insurance.

[Bflatmajorsharp]

zsazsajuju that's not true. For the umpteenth time. The tax brackets are based on earned income, not whether the money was earned by employment or self-employment.

Although SE women are entitled to Maternity Allowance @£140 ish per week, but not paternity pay.

Definitely no pension contributions of course.