Support for self-employed welcomed

The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership has welcomed the latest support package announced by Government to mitigate the adverse impact of the Covid-19 crisis on those who are self-employed.
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There are currently over 100,000 people who are working on a self-employed basis in Lancashire, who to date have been unable to access the support packages which are available to those that are employed.

Chairman Steve Fogg said: "It is only right that there is a parity of support available irrespective of how an individual makes a living. The Government is now offering them a similar level of support as outlined in the Job Retention Scheme.

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''The self-employed work across all of our key sectors and play a vital role in the Lancashire economy, and are often our much needed innovators. Unfortunately they are also the most likely to have been impacted as a result of the restrictions which have been imposed.

Steve FoggSteve Fogg
Steve Fogg

"Most have seen their income plummet or reduced to nothing. The support package announced by the Chancellor will I hope provide some relief and reassurance for those working on a self-employed basis.

''Whilst the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership recognises the complexity involved in designing a package for the self-employed, we hope the measures will be implemented at speed in a fair, deliverable and targeted manner to those who are in most need of the support being offered; they should be the priority.

''The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership has been discussing at length not only the immediate and short-term impacts of Covid-19, but also the longer-term consequences on the Lancashire economy.

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"We need to ensure we minimise the economic fallout of this public health emergency and have in place the necessary infrastructure and support systems to enable businesses recover at speed from this crisis.''

Details of the Government support packages available and how to access them can be found on the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership website which is being updated regularly as details emerge: https://lancashirelep.co.uk/covid-19/