MP calls for self-employed support to match support for furloughed workers

South Lakes MP Tim Farron is calling on the Government to give self-employed people the same 80% wage support as given to those on the furlough scheme to help them cope during a second national lockdown.

Currently, people who are self-employed in Tier 3 areas are only entitled to support worth just 40% of their wages.

Tim said: "Around one in four people in the South Lakes are self-employed - they are the backbone of our economy.

"To give the self-employed less financial support than the employed would be grossly unfair and massively damaging to our economic recovery.

"The self-employed are the very people we need to create jobs and lead our country out of this recession - to punish them right at this moment would be like shooting your star striker's right foot just before they take a penalty.

"The Government must offer them the same support that they are giving to furloughed workers."