A new COVID-19 support package for self-employed workers has been welcomed by the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE).
Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed a set of measures to help protect the income of the self-employed and freelancers last night.
The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme will provide direct cash grants of 80% of profits, up to £2,500 per month for at least three months, he said.
Kevin Wellman, CEO of CIPHE, added: “We are delighted that the government has listened to our recommendations, put forward via the the Construction Industry Council (CIC). The bodies involved in the CIC have worked tirelessly to put the health, wellbeing and financial security of those in the construction industry at the forefront of the government’s COVID-19 response.
“We at the CIPHE have seen first hand the many difficulties faced by the self–employed in our industry and there is still much work for government and HMRC to put the necessary systems in place. In the meantime those in the industry must have immediate access to other available government support, ranging from universal credit to business continuity loans where individuals have a business bank account.”
The CIPHE warned it was still unclear how the new measures will be policed and if individuals will have to pay back some of the grant should earnings for the rest of the financial year be high.