Being self employed and the coronavirus

[HappyHippyDad]

Well it seems that we'll just have to wait and see if we get any financial help and if the process of getting it becomes more simple and clear.

I personally think the American idea of £1000 monthly to everyone is a good idea. It's simple to put into place and negates the need to look into everyones financial circumstances which would take ages and cost a fortune, it is also enough for people to live on if they are frugal.

 

[davesparks]

I personally think the American idea of £1000 monthly to everyone is a good idea. It's simple to put into place and negates the need to look into everyones financial circumstances which would take ages and cost a fortune, it is also enough for people to live on if they are frugal.

Its a good idea, but as with any plan it has it's issues.
Where does the money come from and does it have to be paid back?

 

[Phil L]

I agree £1000 per person would be of a benefit for those that need it, however was that to be a £1000 per household that is another story, how would your average family with let’s say 2-3 children survive on that when you take into account Mortgage/Rent, gas, leccy, water and all the other standard monthly bills, that doesn’t even take into account car/van payments that most people will have especially there self employed

 

[pirate]

These are difficult times, no-one's fault, but a huge shake-up for humanity. I don't know what can be done really, but the fact is the government has certainly tried to help with mortgages and rents and i expect many people will be very glad of that assistance, and I expect more measures will follow. What heartened me yesterday was that the big box at Tesco where folks donate a box of cereal or tins of soup etc for the food banks was overflowing and on asking one of the staff he told me it wasn't just an accumulation but they had had to get the guys to uplift the donations twice as often recently. As for self-employed, like I am, I am retired but not yet of pensionable age so I don't expect any assistance...however, with folks being stuck at home I am very busy doing minor works for loads of people! As I don't usually charge for tiny jobs, my cellar is growing with the bottles i get given, so that's a bonus!
My daughter was offered a new job 2 weeks ago, having been made redundant before Christmas...naturally, as she can be self-employed doing freelance work, she has made a small amount that way, but the new job heralded a big step forward...then last week she got an email saying her new employers couldn't manage to take her on after all, which resulted in the bathroom fitter being put on hold and he has put his tiler and plasterer on hold so none of them have any work for about 2 weeks, with more cancellations coming in daily. The Men's Shed where i volunteer has been closed too...this is sad because we exist to help those who need the company and help of others, so we are in effect failing those we seek to support, but cannot support them in the Shed because many have health issues which require them to be extra careful about contact with others...
and, oddly, my golf course has closed too, which seems daft, but there are some good reasons for this, so instead of golf "spoiling a good walk", I am just going for a walk without my golf clubs, which, to be fair, is less hazardous for those nearby!
Just when I thought things were getting better, here I am STILL supporting my daughter!
On a serious note, being self-employed has a bonus if you are a one-man/woman band, in that you don't have the awful task of laying people off...but if you run a bigger show, it is one of the hardest things to do to tell employees that you have to let them go. Difficult times...

 

[ipf]

Bit harsh @FatAlan....people didn’t vote for this at all no one saw it coming, I’m not a fan Particularly of this or any other government but to use this situation as a point scoring political exercise is disgusting...you should be ashamed, I’m very impressed on the whole with how this country has come together and all trying they best in a very bad situation!

I'm with you, generally but I'm sorry to say all this 'herd' mentality being shown in the supermarkets by panic buying, inconsiderate, selfish, ignorant, common senseless, so called fellow citizens is really pi$$ing me off.
Trying to put work together to help others whilst earning, along with many health workers, daily and then coming across these true artisans of life really takes a great deal of class......from our side at least.

 

[JK-Electrical]

Useful information for those of us who are self-employed and may be in need of financial assistance can be obtained via these two links:

COVID-19: support for businesses - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-businesses-through-the-coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme

https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme-cbils/for-businesses-and-advisors

 

[Baddegg]

There’s now talk on the news of enforcing a lockdown, I’d like to think if that happens they’d have to sort the issue of self employed people, as much as people would like to comply.,,.kids need feeding bills need paying.....

 

[plugsandsparks]

I am currently on a Ferry coming back from Spain doing the last Calais to Dover crossing leg.
I have flown out to Alicante and drove back with my mum who has been struggling.
Both Spain and France are deserted totally and utterly. This is coming our way so plan for the long term. In terms of Gov support, i think if you give citizens advice a few days to absorb the government intentions i would ring their support line. Citizens advice are specialists in UC and benefits in general so ultimately i would trust their advice over either a website or a rep from DWP.
Hope this helps

 

[Baddegg]

Just watched the PMs latest news conference, not all of it the kids are here ?....but the question I wanted asked was relevant to this thread in that If Simeon the 1.5 m people list is the sole bread winner AND self employed what are the government proposing?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Morning all.

I have had nearly all my jobs cancelled now. Still got a weeks work ahead but then perhaps 1 day a week. I was wondering if anyone new what the government plans are for the self employed with regards finance?

This might be a good thread to add to as new government plans come out.

All I really know if that they are postponing the July tax payment.

I expect I'll continue to get small jobs over the next few months perhaps amounting to a day a week, perhaps emergency jobs only, who knows. Does this mean I'll still be able to get some financial help even though I still have work?

It's all a bit confusing.

as i understand it you could claim universal credit and would get rent or mortgage support, they will base the uc claim on what you earn not assume a certain income.


I share you worry. I am fortunate to have some savings and have checked my diary and have 5 weeks of work booked in, none should be cancelled unless I get sick myself, all are either me outside in the garden or up scaffolding away from people. got lots of ev chargers to fit and still booking them in.
long term I dont know what will happen, by the sounds of it my work should run out come the peak of this virus in the UK when I will probably want to stay home anyway. I had planned for 2 1/2 weeks off at start of June anyway for a now cancelled holiday so will get the 5.2k back for that once the FCO give the dont travel notice for June. the money will keep me going for a while if I need it,

 

[Risteard]

have 5 weeks of work booked in, none should be cancelled unless I get sick myself

I believe it is highly likely that you will be compelled to cancel it. It seems highly likely to me that we will be ordered to stop work.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I believe it is highly likely that you will be compelled to cancel it. It seems highly likely to me that we will be ordered to stop work.

i did think that, if they enforce a mandatory shut down then yes I would of course cancel.
one is in a workshop installing high bay light fittings, landlord has already paid me for the job and materials.
others are car charger installs in peoples garages or coming off the cut out with henley blocks., one is a full light install in a large garden where i dont need to go in the house as fuse board is in the garage.
Got a few EICRs for empty properties booked in aswell. but as you say it comes down to any mandatory lock down.
I do all the electrical work for a local 40 bed care home, got jobs to do but they are on hold until further notice, I do have to go and sort the emergency lighting outside as its a safety issue but dont need to go inside for that other than to turn the circuit off, which I can do easily enough without touching anything and wearing ppe.
they have agreed they will otherwise only call me in an absolute emergency where it is a safety issue, if not it waits. so its about working sensibly

 

[Risteard]

i did think that, if they enforce a mandatory shut down then yes I would of course cancel.
one is in a workshop installing high bay light fittings, landlord has already paid me for the job and materials.
others are car charger installs in peoples garages or coming off the cut out with henley blocks., one is a full light install in a large garden where i dont need to go in the house as fuse board is in the garage.
Got a few EICRs for empty properties booked in aswell. but as you say it comes down to any mandatory lock down.
I do all the electrical work for a local 40 bed care home, got jobs to do but they are on hold until further notice, I do have to go and sort the emergency lighting outside as its a safety issue but dont need to go inside for that other than to turn the circuit off, which I can do easily enough without touching anything and wearing ppe.
they have agreed they will otherwise only call me in an absolute emergency where it is a safety issue, if not it waits. so its about working sensibly

Hope it works out for you. Couple of bits left to do here but practically nothing's open (in terms of businesses) and I think very few people in terms of domestic customers will want people in. God knows when things will change.

 

[ChipFanDave]

Bit harsh @FatAlan....people didn’t vote for this at all no one saw it coming, people voted as to who they felt best represented their views and aspirations of the future, sounds like more sour grapes from the socialist left wingers (or anyone who’s spent they life mollycoddled in state employment) I’m not a fan Particularly of this or any other government but to use this situation as a point scoring political exercise is disgusting...you should be ashamed, I’m very impressed on the whole with how this country has come together and all trying they best in a very bad situation!

NHS workers are employed by the state !! Just pointing that out otherwise agree !

 

[Baddegg]

NHS workers are employed by the state !! Just pointing that out otherwise agree !

I did think that when I wrote it David, my wife works for the nhs as a radiographer, but I think you’ll agree they certainly are not mollycoddled.....as some within continuous ringfenced state employment are....