‘It’s not too late to think again and get this right’ – MP urges Chancellor to change track after reports the self-employed won’t get financial support for another two months

Commenting on reports that financial support to cope with the impact of coronavirus won't be available for people who are self-employed until the end of May, local MP Tim Farron said:

"It's great that the Chancellor is set to announce far reaching measures to support the self-employed at this very tough time.

"However, if the reports are true that they won't be able to receive any of that money until the end of May then he will have failed the almost 11,000 people who are currently self-employed in the South Lakes.

"Forcing people into the desperate situation to live off £94.25 a week for two months is not good enough.

"Over the past few weeks, the Chancellor has proven himself to be anything else but cloth-eared, and it's clear to see he is really is working hard in almost impossible circumstances.

"So ahead of the press conference later today, I say to him that it's not too late to think again and get this right - the people of Cumbria are relying on you."