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Coronavirus: Rishi Sunak to unveil financial aid for self-employed Coronavirus: Rishi Sunak to unveil financial aid for self-employed
(32 minutes later)
Self-employed workers facing financial difficulties as a result of coronavirus are set to be offered a package of support from the government.Self-employed workers facing financial difficulties as a result of coronavirus are set to be offered a package of support from the government.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will unveil the measures later.Chancellor Rishi Sunak will unveil the measures later.
He set out plans for 80% wage subsidies for staff kept on by employers last week - and the PM has said he wants similar protection for freelancers.He set out plans for 80% wage subsidies for staff kept on by employers last week - and the PM has said he wants similar protection for freelancers.
However, Boris Johnson added he could not promise the UK would beat the virus "without any kind of hardship at all".However, Boris Johnson added he could not promise the UK would beat the virus "without any kind of hardship at all".
The total number of people in the UK to die with Covid-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, has reached 465.The total number of people in the UK to die with Covid-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, has reached 465.
Mr Sunak said last week that the government would cover wages of up to £2,500 a month for staff being kept on by their employer, as part of "unprecedented" measures to prevent workers being laid off.Mr Sunak said last week that the government would cover wages of up to £2,500 a month for staff being kept on by their employer, as part of "unprecedented" measures to prevent workers being laid off.
The chancellor later said drawing up plans to help self-employed people had proved "incredibly complicated".The chancellor later said drawing up plans to help self-employed people had proved "incredibly complicated".
John Healey, a self-employed driving instructor from Lancashire, told the BBC's Today programme that if the government waited to have a perfect system of financial help, it would be waiting a long time. Dr Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "For many people that have seen their businesses disappear in the blink of an eye, things like statutory sick pay or universal credit just isn't enough.
"I think in the short term, there needs to be something which is maybe imperfect, but at least can help us. We don't need a lot, we just need something that's more than the £94-a-week statutory sick pay which is being offered at the moment," he added. "It doesn't need to be perfect - we just need a system in place," he told the BBC's Today programme.
"But by doing nothing, we just go to the wall, basically." John Healey, a self-employed driving instructor from Lancashire, said: "We don't need a lot, we just need something.
Dr Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, told the same programme: "For many people that have seen their businesses disappear in the blink of an eye, things like statutory sick pay or universal credit just isn't enough. Their custom has literally evaporated overnight." "But by doing nothing, we just go to the wall, basically," he told the Today programme.
He also argued the case for the UK following a similar route to Denmark or Norway, which try to replace up to 80% of recent earnings for self-employed people: "The way you can do that is by looking back at recent tax returns and filings to make sure you aren't under-paying or over-paying an individual."
"It doesn't need to be perfect - we just need a system in place to get help to some of these businesses.
BBC Newsnight's political editor Nick Watt said all the indications from talking to ministers and Conservative MPs were that the chancellor would match the 80% salary support given to PAYE employees.BBC Newsnight's political editor Nick Watt said all the indications from talking to ministers and Conservative MPs were that the chancellor would match the 80% salary support given to PAYE employees.
He said one minister said the reason why it had taken so long was because it was fiendishly complicated but "when this chancellor acts, he acts big".He said one minister said the reason why it had taken so long was because it was fiendishly complicated but "when this chancellor acts, he acts big".
BBC business editor Simon Jack said calculating a support wage for the self-employed was so difficult because their income could be lumpy, irregular and intermittent.BBC business editor Simon Jack said calculating a support wage for the self-employed was so difficult because their income could be lumpy, irregular and intermittent.
Government sources said they had struggled to find a way to avoid paying people who do not need help.Government sources said they had struggled to find a way to avoid paying people who do not need help.
As Parliament shut down until 21 April at the earliest due to the escalating pandemic, Mr Johnson told MPs: "We will do whatever we can to support the self-employed, just as we are putting our arms around every single employed person in this country."As Parliament shut down until 21 April at the earliest due to the escalating pandemic, Mr Johnson told MPs: "We will do whatever we can to support the self-employed, just as we are putting our arms around every single employed person in this country."
He said there were "particular difficulties" for freelancers who are not on Pay As You Earn (PAYE) schemes, but that he wanted to achieve "parity of support" across the workforce.He said there were "particular difficulties" for freelancers who are not on Pay As You Earn (PAYE) schemes, but that he wanted to achieve "parity of support" across the workforce.
In the UK, more than 9,500 people have tested positive for the virus - although the actual number of cases is likely to be far higher.In the UK, more than 9,500 people have tested positive for the virus - although the actual number of cases is likely to be far higher.
The peak of demand for intensive care is expected to come in two to three weeks.The peak of demand for intensive care is expected to come in two to three weeks.
Chris Hopson of NHS Providers, which represents foundation trusts in England, said London hospital bosses were telling him they were already struggling with the high numbers of critically ill patients, likening the situation to a "continuous tsunami".Chris Hopson of NHS Providers, which represents foundation trusts in England, said London hospital bosses were telling him they were already struggling with the high numbers of critically ill patients, likening the situation to a "continuous tsunami".
Their job was being complicated by staff sickness rates of up to 50% in some hospitals and a shortage of ventilators, he told the Today programme.Their job was being complicated by staff sickness rates of up to 50% in some hospitals and a shortage of ventilators, he told the Today programme.
Prof Neil Ferguson, a key government adviser on the country's response, said he expected "a very difficult few weeks particularly in the hotspots", including London.Prof Neil Ferguson, a key government adviser on the country's response, said he expected "a very difficult few weeks particularly in the hotspots", including London.
However, he said while the health service would be "particularly stressed, it won't break".However, he said while the health service would be "particularly stressed, it won't break".
A 21-year-old woman from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, who died with the virus last week, had no underlying health conditions, her family said.A 21-year-old woman from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, who died with the virus last week, had no underlying health conditions, her family said.
One of the latest people to be diagnosed is Prince Charles. The 71-year-old is self-isolating at Balmoral with the Duchess of Cornwall, 72, who tested negative.One of the latest people to be diagnosed is Prince Charles. The 71-year-old is self-isolating at Balmoral with the Duchess of Cornwall, 72, who tested negative.
Buckingham Palace said the Queen last saw her son, the heir to the throne, on 12 March, but was "in good health".Buckingham Palace said the Queen last saw her son, the heir to the throne, on 12 March, but was "in good health".
Meanwhile the British Medical Association (BMA) has warned that doctors and patients will die without adequate protective equipment across the NHS.Meanwhile the British Medical Association (BMA) has warned that doctors and patients will die without adequate protective equipment across the NHS.
The BMA said doctors were risking their lives due to a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) - and said many health workers could go off sick unless urgent action is taken.The BMA said doctors were risking their lives due to a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) - and said many health workers could go off sick unless urgent action is taken.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said millions of PPE items have been sent out and a hotline has been set up so staff can report shortages.Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said millions of PPE items have been sent out and a hotline has been set up so staff can report shortages.
In other developments:In other developments: