As we make steps to protect public health, I have been clear we must also take action to secure jobs and incomes. I was pleased to see the furlough has been extended through to December and now March, but I immediately contacted ministers about the need to make sure we are offering the self-employed the same level of support given the real challenges they have also faced.
Having spoken to many self-employed throughout this pandemic, I know how uncertain business has been for them and how restrictions can have real consequences on their work. It was reassuring to secure an extension grant for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) over the winter, but I have been pushing for extra support for November given the tightened restrictions are coming into place.
I am therefore very pleased that support for the self-employed will be increased from 40% to 80% of trading profits for the third grant covering the period from November to 31st January. This means that for the self-employed, the support you receive from Government will be on par with those on furlough. The SEISS grant will also continue to be provided every three months over the next six months, so this boost increases the max grant to £7,500.
