John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to IFS research showing that the self-employed are more likely to be in poverty and to be in hard-hit sectors than employees, said:

“Many self-employed people have been hit hard in the pocket by the Coronavirus crisis and have been calling for proper protection of their incomes by the Government.

“The self-employed are no less entitled to support than other workers: as this research shows, they are more likely than other employees to be in poverty, and are more likely to have to take on childcare obligations.

“After days of delay and uncertainty, the Government must announce a package today that can be delivered quickly, giving the self-employed the same level of security as other workers.”