Self-employed workers will be able to claim support worth 80% of their average monthly profits in an "unprecedented" move to cover the impact of coronavirus, Rishi Sunak has announced.
The Chancellor said the move - worth up to a maximum of £2,500 a month - would cover 95% of self-employed workers.
The package comes after the Government came under sustained pressure as its initial package of financial support only covered employees.
Mr Sunak said: "To support those who work for themselves, today I am announcing a new self-employed income support scheme.
"The Government will pay self-employed people who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus a taxable grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits over the last three years, up to £2,500 a month."
The Chancellor said the scheme will be available "no later" than the beginning of June.
It is open to anyone with trading profits of up to £50,000 and will only be available to those who make the majority of their income from self-employment so only the "genuinely self-employed" benefit.
"And to minimise fraud only those who are already in self-employment who have a tax return for 2019 will be able to apply," he said.
"95% of people who are majority self-employed will benefit from this scheme."
The Chancellor said "it provides an unprecedented level of support for self-employed people".
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