Self-employed & Coronavirus

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

A couple of my sole trader clients are raking it in. Haven't stopped working at all and also in receipt of SEISS help.

I don't begrudge them that, if they're entitled to it then fair enough, but it sticks in the throat a little.

There's always going to be 'covid winners' just like there will always be benefits cheats. Ultimately you probably don't want to swap your life for theirs.

 

[Ric]

There's always going to be 'covid winners' just like there will always be benefits cheats. Ultimately you probably don't want to swap your life for theirs.

With respect, that’s a poor analogy. There are around 3m self employed people who have been largely excluded from any financial help from the government.

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

With respect, that’s a poor analogy. There are around 3m self employed people who have been largely excluded from any financial help from the government. I’m pretty sure they’d happily swap their lives for those in the post you quoted.

I'm honestly not talking about them and not sure Cheesy was either. I know exactly what you mean as I have musician friends that have hardly had a fortnight without work in 30 years that are absolutely stuffed so appreciate what you are saying and didn't mean to apply what I said to all. My point was actually that 'covid winners' as Cheesy described are the outliers just as are wealthy benefit cheats.

 

[lancs blue]

My question isn't exactly related to the thread title, but a quick search showed that there had been some talk about umbrella companies in this thread.

My question is, is anyone using an umbrella company that they can recommend?

I left my last role due to redundancy a few weeks ago. I've managed to get a contractor role until the end of March but because it's in the pulic sector it's inside IR35 and I have to go through an umbrella company to get paid. Looking online it looks like a bit of a minefield finding a decent one.

Many thanks

I'm not sure why you "have to go through an umbrella company", I worked as a contractor in an IR35 sector for many years by setting up a one-man Ltd company not using umbrella companies which to my mind were a rip-off then, unless they've changed since. Get yourself a decent accountant and go down the Ltd company route if you can would be my advice.

Edit: Just to add that HMRC have been sniffing around some umbrella companies recently with regard to the way they pay clients.

Spotlight 45: Umbrella companies - www.rossmartin.co.uk

HMRC has published a new tax Spotlight: ‘Umbrella companies offering to increase your take home pay’. It highlights the fact that many employees and self employed contractors are failing to realise that some staff agencies and umbrella companies are flouting tax anti-abuse rules.

www.rossmartin.co.uk

 

[Ric]

I'm honestly not talking about them and not sure Cheesy was either. I know exactly what you mean as I have musician friends that have hardly had a fortnight without work in 30 years that are absolutely stuffed so appreciate what you are saying and didn't mean to apply what I said to all. My point was actually that 'covid winners' as Cheesy described are the outliers just as are wealthy benefit cheats.

Hope your friends manage to get sorted one way or another. It’s a bit of scandal the way so many self-employed/freelancers have been left with virtually no financial support from the government.

 

[Rob76]

I'm a self employed plasterer,me and my mate fell through the trap door of not receiving any help whatsoever during the last lockdown,and no help for this one.
We left our PAYE jobs too long ago to qualify for furlough and not been self employed long enough to qualify for the self employed grant.
We were working alongside lads having between 5 and 10 grand in help,and we're on Universal Credit,barely covered my mortgage.
Somethings wrong then isn't it.

 

[blueparrot]

Not sure, where the new furlogh extension is going to leave the next self employed grants. The application is due in December and was set at 40%. Will this be increased back to 80% is the first question.
My issue though is being in Scotland the current 40% is probably okay with how my business is doing and not getting the lockdown England is. However if it’s increased will I be able to take the lower amount being in Scotland. If not should I morally take the higher amount if that’s all thats available.
The other caveat is, if I take a lower amount or don’t take the 80% aif all if thats all thats offered, what happens if Scotland goes into a later lockdown and the 80% has been withdrawn as England has finished it’s lockdown.

 

[blueinsa]

We are now at the point where a Universal basic Income is badly needed and would be of huge benefit to citizens and the economy.

 

[hilts]

We are now at the point where a Universal basic Income is badly needed and would be of huge benefit to citizens and the economy.

What amount would you set it at?

 

[blueinsa]

What amount would you set it at?

Good question and ive no idea but the £Billions now being pumped in that still leaves many with not a lot has to be better spent and used more effectively.

Lockdown should be a full on, real lockdown and it should coincide with UBI being introduced.

£1000 per adult and £500 per child?

I dont know but something different has to be done because people cant live on nothing and the economy cant survive without people being able to spend.