Chancellor extends job support schemes but gaps in support remain unaddressed

The Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline and Business Debtline, has welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement on extensions to the Job Retention Scheme and Self Employment Income Support Scheme.

Jane Tully, Director of External Affairs at the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline and Business Debtline, said: “The Chancellor’s extension of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will come as a relief to millions of self-employed people who are relying on these funds to get through the Covid-19 outbreak with their business and livelihood intact.”

“Through this extension and sensible changes to the Job Retention Scheme, the government should be congratulated for taking a gradual and cautious approach to withdrawing these temporary measures.”

“However, gaps in the government’s support for the self-employed remain unaddressed – including owner-directors who receive most of their income through dividends, and the newly self-employed.  It’s not too late for the government to act on these issues – as the Scottish Government has for the newly self-employed – and we would urge them to bring forward rectifying measures as soon as possible.”

Dame Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said “The furlough scheme has protected millions of jobs and incomes, but the failure to give additional protection for the shielded group means there is still a major missing piece of the puzzle. Many in this group fear their jobs will be the first to go as the scheme starts to wind down.”

“One in ten people who are clinically extremely vulnerable are continuing to work outside the home despite the risk to their health, and thousands more are struggling to make ends meet because they have been denied furlough. No one should face this impossible choice.”

“As long as the shielded group are asked to remain at home, they and those they live with should have a right to be furloughed and employers should be exempt from contributing to the cost of the scheme for these employees.”