PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may bulletin 2 2020 :: RMTnews 10 T he government has announced a rescue package in the form of a new self-employed income support scheme. Those who are a self-employed individual or a member of a partnership will be able to apply for a taxable grant worth 80 per cent of their average monthly income over the last three years. The income of those who have only submitted a tax return for one or two years will be calculated on the basis of those returns. The maximum amount that can be claimed is £2,500 a month for a period of at least three months. The first payment will not, however, be paid until the beginning of June so a self-employed worker will actually receive a one-off lump sum payment. To apply people must have traded in 2019-2020 and be trading when they apply, or would be except for COVID-19. Those struggling now can apply for Universal Credit but that can take at least five weeks to process. The scheme is only open to people who have submitted a tax return for 2019, although the government has said it will give those who didn’t file their tax return at the end of January a further four weeks from the date of the announcement to do so (i.e. 23 April 2020). They will then be covered by the scheme. People who have only just become self-employed and have not filed any returns are therefore excluded. The government has made clear that it will not be able to help them, meaning that their only option is to claim Universal Credit. Also excluded are those who have average annual trading profits of more than £50,000, those who earn less than half their total income from self-employment and those who operate through a limited company. An application cannot be submitted at this point. HMRC will contact those who are eligible directly asking them to fill in an online form. The self-employed cover a wide range of occupations. In total, it is thought that they number about 5 million people, equating to about 15 per cent of the total UK workforce. I would like to start by remembering all those who have lost their life to Coronavirus families, friends, colleagues and strangers the virus doesn't discriminate and I often think how much longer this will go on for . RMT and other trade union families have been hit hard while providing a service which is vital to communities to get other key workers to there place of work be that by Bus, Train, Tube, Taxi, shipping and offshore. You have all stepped up and I hope when this pandemic is over it’s remembered by the powers that be that essential travel, maritime transport and Oil and gas exploration was key to keeping the country going! It’s also important to mention our seafarers whose deliveries to our country of food supplies and other goods have been attacked and treated appallingly by some companies like Stena and P&O to protect their profits asking for Government handouts while flying flags of convenience to keep conditions and pay as low as possible. An important “THANK YOU” to all those that are still working “Stay safe and look after your own safety first as you can't provide for your families if your no longer here. We are continually let down with promises of personal protection equipment employers when workers have to provide their own or worse still recycle to ensure the work environment is as clean as possible. Let your reps know your issues even in these times your union has your back. I also what to say well done to those working behind the scenes in our union, the staff for getting the relevant information out, the officers for continuing to perform in their roles despite the difficulties. Each and every part of this union has been functioning at 110 per cent during this pandemic and it's folk like these that often don't get the credit they deserve. We are the leaders in the trade union movement working together during this pandemic has shown me that. Chin up and let's do what we do best. In unity brothers and sisters, Michelle Rodgers President’s column A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS SELF-EMPLOYED INCOME SUPPORT SCHEME