Self-employed need support: George

Montgomeryshire Member of the Welsh Parliament, Russell George MS, is calling on the Welsh Government to introduce a Self-employed Hardship Fund to help those people who are missed by the various Covid-19 business support packages.

Mr George (pictured) has been calling on the Welsh Government to amend business grants to ensure that those businesses which don’t meet the eligibility criteria don’t continue to fall through the gaps and get the support they deserve at this time.

He said that crucially, companies had to be VAT registered in order to obtain support which not all small and micro businesses are due to their size.

Mr George said: “Businesses come in all shapes and sizes which has made ensuring support for everyone at this time has been difficult.

“However, given the greater number of self-employed people in Powys and those who operate micro-businesses, I’d like to see the Welsh Government follow the example of elsewhere in the UK to introduce a hardship fund for those people who have been recently self-employed, or that being self-employed has now become their full-time status which currently excludes them from support.

“Sadly, it might not be possible to support them with their full amount that they would receive but a hardship fund of £2,000 or more could ensure that they are able to see through the rest of the pandemic and be a part of Wales’ economic recovery when we come out of lockdown.”