Concern over June date for self-employment payments
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A CAITHNESS business leader has welcomed the financial support for the self-employed – announced by the Chancellor last week – but has expressed concern that payments will not be available until June.
Trudy Morris, chief executive of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said the delay could cause problems for "many who are in the lower income bracket".
She said: "While we welcome the substantial packages of support for business announced by both UK and Scottish governments over the past two weeks, there are many businesses which do not qualify for these support packages at present.
"We are aware of gaps in existing provision, in particular that self-catering premises are not considered eligible for the emergency small business grants. The Scottish Government is working on this, but it needs urgent attention as the tourism industry is suffering severely, as are many other sectors such as fishing, which will need much more support to recover."
Ms Morris added: "We do welcome the Chancellor’s announcement of support for the self-employed which gives some parity to those that are employed. However, we are concerned that payments not coming through until June will cause problems for many who are in the lower income bracket.
"Also welcome is the additional clarification on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. However, employers remain nervous because the online claim portal is still not available and not likely to be live until the end of April.
"These are fast-changing and difficult times we live in, but we are working hard alongside our colleagues in Scottish Chambers of Commerce to bring issues to the attention of government and to get the support and answers that businesses in the north Highlands require."
Ms Morris said it is crucial the self-employed are supported by government during the coronavirus pandemic as these businesses are the "mainstays of the economy".
She said: "It is unacceptable that provision is not being made for all businesses affected by coronavirus, and we urge Scottish Government to address this shortcoming as soon as possible.
"The Scottish Government has issued clear guidelines on what it considers to be essential businesses, and we encourage all businesses to read these and carefully consider whether they need to continue operating during this period."
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced a range of measures to help self-employed people. They include a cash grant worth 80 per cent of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years.
Mr Sunak said that would cover 95 per cent of people who receive most of their income from self-employment.
He previously announced the government would pay up to £2500 each month in wages of employed workers who are temporarily laid off during the coronavirus outbreak.
