INTRODUCING a financial package of support for self-employed and unemployed people “must be a key priority” for the Chancellor, the SNP have said.
The party’s shadow chancellor, Alison Thewliss, has repeated calls for an urgent cross-party meeting to be held today to discuss the range of measures that should be taken to protect incomes during the coronavirus outbreak.
On Saturday, Ian Blackford wrote to Rishi Sunak setting out SNP proposals for an urgent package of support. They involve using the tax and welfare system to provide a guaranteed income for everyone, including self-employed people in the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, increasing UK Statutory Sick Pay to the EU national average and bolstering welfare protections by raising Child Benefit and making Universal Credit more adaptable.
Thewliss described the situation as an “unprecedented emergency”.
READ MORE: SNP urge Westminster to deliver financial aid to self-employed
She added: “Millions of freelancers, self-employed and unemployed people are understandably concerned about their incomes during this unprecedented emergency. There is broad consensus that bringing forward a comprehensive financial package of support for self-employed and unemployed people must be a key priority for the Chancellor this week.
“The SNP want the UK Government to use the tax and welfare system to introduce a guaranteed income for everyone, raise UK Statutory Sick Pay to the EU average, and strengthen welfare protections by increasing Child Benefit and making Universal Credit more flexible.
“Political parties should get round the table today to ensure all measures are considered and a meaningful financial package can be introduced as soon as possible. I urge the Chancellor to make that happen so we can ensure no-one is left behind.”
The call came as Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said emergency measures put in place by the UK Government will help self-employed workers, but added ministers are examining what else can be done.
He told The Andrew Marr Show: “We appreciate this isn’t perfect and the Chancellor is going to keep reviewing the situation and see if there are further measures we can take. It isn’t easy, it’s not as simple as supporting those who are in employment.
“The purpose of our employment mechanism is to help continue the connection between employees and their business so once this is over – and it will be over – those individuals can return to their usual work and that link isn’t broken.
“It is operationally very difficult to create a scheme akin to that for the self-employed but we are reviewing this. If there are further steps we need to do, we will take them.”
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