UPDATE: Since the publication of this report, the Government has announced (5 November 2020) that the SEISS will be increased to 80% for the three months of November, December and January, and that the suspension of the Universal Credit Minimum Income Floor will be extended

WGGB has responded to the Government’s announcement of support for the self-employed in the wake of Lockdown 2, announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak today (2 November 2020).

Sunak revealed that the Government is increasing the support to the self-employed via the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) from 40% of trading profits to 80% for November.

SEISS is calculated over three months so this increases the total grant from 40% to 55% of trading profits for November to January and the maximum grant increases to £5,160.

Grants will also be paid faster than previously planned with the claims window opening at the end of November rather than the middle of December.

WGGB General Secretary Ellie Peers said:

“We welcome the doubling of the SEISS grant for the month of November, and the promise that grants will be paid more quickly, but we are deeply disappointed that there is still nothing for the estimated three million self-employed who continue to fall through the gaps.

“We are also awaiting further detail on whether the reinstatement of the Universal Credit Minimum Income Floor, planned for 13 November, will go ahead – as this will have a significant impact on the self-employed during this time. We will be pressing Government, alongside other unions, on both these issues.”

WGGB members wanting to find out more about the SEISS changes can do so on the Government’s website.

Photo: Shutterstock.com/CKTravels