Today's brief is for a very important cause on behalf of millions of people and I am one of them as the founder of One Minute Briefs LTD.
Since lockdown began, the government have pledged to be there for everyone to keep Britain going to get through the crisis. And, I was initially impressed by their fast actions in pledging support with the furlough scheme and grants for those that are self-employed.
However, they have forgotten something. They’ve forgotten us and millions of other small businesses and freelancers that are set up as limited companies. The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has decided not to support 2 million limited companies in the UK with millions of employees contributing billions to the economy. These businesses and the hardworking owner-directors who run them have fallen between the cracks of the government’s support during the Covid-19 pandemic. Without a review of the rescue measures, many of these businesses will have no option but to cease trading, with devastating effects on the individuals, families and employees they support.
I fully believed that the government would offer support on a par with what they have given to others who have had 80% of their income paid, whilst Limited Companies like my own have had to try and keep getting new business in, which is almost impossible right now. The only option being a loan that is repayable with interest and the furlough scheme is useless for single Director LTD companies.
How can owner-directors furlough themselves and expect to have a business to come back to at the end of all this? You can’t just pause your business; you won’t be prepared for the upturn in the economy. Meanwhile the self-employed can keep working and claim a grant based on their net profits. That is simply unequal and unfair.
From a personal perspective, I’ve had events, talks, contracts, filmshoots & social campaigns all cancelled. Not only affecting me right now, but affecting me well into the future without knowing when restrictions will be lifted to get business going properly again.
I waited and waited to see if the government would offer any support before I felt compelled to write this post https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nickentwistle_freelance-freelancework-smallbusiness-activity-6673934216125792256-NQ4O and the response to it has shown me that there are many people affected by this too. I also then came across Forgotten LTD who have been calling for fairness and equality for small limited companies excluded by the UK Government’s Coronavirus financial support packages.
So, today we’re joining forces to ask the Chancellor to not forget about us and millions of others. And, we need the OMBLES to help make our voices heard!!!
Please tweet your entries to @OneMinuteBriefs, @RishiSunak @HMRCgovuk and @ForgottenLTD with the hashtag #ForgottenLTD
You can also mention @commonstreasury @jimharrahmrc @borisjohnson in your tweets if you wish.
About Forgotten LTD.
The #ForgottenLtd Campaign exists to raise awareness of the lack of meaningful government support for the small business community across the UK. We call on the government to address this disparity by extending COVID-19 support packages to those of us left behind.
We are asking for parity. We are asking not to be forgotten.
Find out more here: forgottenltd.com
Please sign the petition to help provide a COVID-19 Support Package in line with that offered to the Employed and Self-Employed.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/310515
Many sole or joint company directors do not qualify for any assistance from the government. No grants and no income support, their only option is loans and debt. They don’t get paid if they don’t bring business in. They don’t get paid if they are ill. They don’t get paid if they go on holiday. They don’t get paid on Bank Holidays. They don’t get perks like health insurance, car allowance or bonuses.
The Chancellor needs to be made aware that these people, who have paid their taxes, need financial help too. If they “fall between the cracks” as he has admitted, then that will mean that millions of small businesses could cease to trade.
Just a few businesses in the creative industry affected by this... Film: Directors, screenwriters, actors, cameraman, production staff, make-up artists, hairdressers, runners etc. Advertising: Creative Directors, art directors, copywriters, designers, web designers, account handlers, TV producers etc…
As well as in other industries such as… Construction, electricians, builders, decorators, architects, plumbers, surveyors etc
