Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what financial support her Department plans to provide to (a) self-employed and (b) zero-hours workers that self-isolate as a result of covid-19.

The Government is committed to supporting people affected by the Covid-19 public health emergency. As part of that response, DWP is making a number of changes to ensure people who need financial help have access to the benefit system.

We are temporarily relaxing the Minimum Income Floor (MIF) for all self-employed UC claimants affected by the economic impact of COVID-19 from 6 April, for the duration of the outbreak. This means a drop in earnings due to sickness or self-isolation or as a result of the economic impact of the outbreak will be reflected in claimants’ awards of benefit. We have also raised the Universal Credit Standard allowance, which means that claimants could be £1000 better off over the next 12 months.

The Department is ready to support people who are prevented from working because of a risk to public health and who need to self-isolate. For those on a low income and already claiming Universal Credit, their Universal Credit amount will adjust depending on their earnings or other income. People not eligible to receive sick pay may be able to claim Universal Credit and/or contributory Employment and Support Allowance.

These changes are part of a wider package to help self-employed which includes the new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, with those eligible receiving a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employment.

In response to Covid-19, we have introduced new guidance about claiming benefits which can be found at: https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/