SELF-EMPLOYED people unable to work will be able to claim grants for up to £7,500, the chancellor has announced.
The third grant, covering November to January, will now be calculated using 80% of trading profits.
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Rishi Sunak also also confirmed that the furlough scheme would be extended until March 2021.
It means that if Scotland or Wales decides to go into another circuit breaker lockdown in future, they will get cash help from the UK treasury.
On Saturday, Boris Johnson told the Commons today he would be doubling the amount of support for those who work for themselves to get them through the month-long winter shut down.
Previously self-employed workers were only set to receive government grants worth 40% of average monthly profits from November through to January 2021.
The latest grant was set to be worth £3,750 but was increased to £5,160.
It meant self-employed workers would have received 55% of trading profits for the next three months – including 80% of trading profits in November.
But now it has been increased to 80% of trading profits for November to January – up to a maximum of £7,500.
This is equivalent to £7.3billion worth of support, on top of the £13.7billion already paid out.
Applications for payments will also be brought forward from December 14 to November 30.
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Self-employed workers will still have to prove their business has been negatively affected by the lockdown before being able to make a claim.
The help for self-employed workers has now been brought in line with the support already revealed for PAYE workers.
The furlough scheme has been extended beyond its October 31 deadline, and will see 80% of wages paid.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister told the nation that all non-essential shops, including pubs, restaurants and gyms, will have to temporarily close from today.
The help will come on top of the £13.7billion the government has already invested in grants to help 3million self-employed workers.
Typically, the grants cover three months worth of trading profits with the amount adjusted to reflect the newest round of coronavirus restrictions.
The first grant was worth £7,500, while the second payout was worth £6,570.
The government confirmed there would be a fourth grant for self-employed workers to cover February 2021 until the end of April 2021 but it is yet to announce how much it will cover.
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From today, people are banned from meeting others and everyone will be ordered again to work from home.
Hairdressers, beauty salons and clothing stores will also have to shut again.
The new measures will last for a month. It will begin on November 5 and last until December 2, when it will be reviewed.
This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
