Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

THIS week the campaign group Excluded UK said that many of its members are struggling to pay their Bounce Back Loans since the Covid19 Pandemic. Many small businesses had to take on Loans to keep them from going under, during the Covid 19 Lockdowns, but for some, the Loan was the only way they had to fund themselves, as they had been blocked from getting any other personal financial support. If you are unaware of this scandal, those affected include:-

The then newly self employed.
Those earning less than 50% of income from self employment.
Self Employed with +£50k trading profits.
PAYE freelancers.
New starters.
Those made redundant before 19 March 2020.
Those denied furlough.
Directors paid PAYE Annually.
Directors paid in Dividends.
Directors of Companies not in Profit.
New Businesses.
Businesses ineligible for Business Grants.
Those on maternity / parental / adoption leave.
Those whose personal circumstances have affected entitlement to support eg:- pensions, bereavement allowance, carer's allowance, students.
And many other groups not listed…

A spokesperson for Excludeduk.Org said:- "Our group was established in May 2020 to represent the 3.8 million+ UK taxpayers who had been excluded from parity of Government financial support during the Covid19 Pandemic. Why does this matter now? Well, 4 years on and many of those excluded from support still have not had any meaningful help. Now with Universal Credit, many of those who have fought to stay open are facing closure and bankruptcy. This means even more of those affected by the lack of support are increasingly suffering from mental health issues related to this issue. Many of our members are struggling to pay back the Bounce Back Loans, which was the debt they had to take on over the pandemic, as Rishi Sunak did not deliver parity of Covid19 support to everyone. Even though he continues to say he had! It has been reported that 37+ lives were lost over the Covid19 Pandemic due to mental health issues related to this scandal. Sadly the number is hard to pin down as we do not know how more lives have been lost as a result of the ongoing financial pressure, due to the lack of support, since the Covid19 Pandemic ended. This is a hidden issue that many do not realize happened or even know that it is still going on. This scandal is damaging our small business economy and it is most differently still resulting in lives being lost, destroying livelihoods, and families! Frustratingly, no one wants to hear us or acknowledge us. As a result, we are asking for the next UK Government to do the correct thing...

(1) Issue an apology from UK Government so this injustice is recognised and assurance that this will never happen again.

(2) Parity of support.

(3) Acknowledgement of loss of earnings / profit and consequential loss."

If you are still mentally and financially struggling and are 1 of the other 3.8 million UK taxpayers who have been excluded from fair and equal Covid19 financial support, please visit the group's website to learn about the help the group can offer you, and follow them on Facebook. You can also join Excluded UK's emailing list.

If you can help Excluded UK by making a donation please go to:- JustGiving.Com If you are not able to donate, please just like and share this report and spread the word about this scandal...

What are your views on this issue? Also, let us know if you are affected by this ongoing problem by posting a comment below!

Please note that Excludeduk.Org is a self-funded group. They are not an advice line. Should you have advice for your situation please contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau by calling:- 08001448848 or via:- CitizensAdvice.Org.UK.

Adam

Thu, 6 June 2024 7:02 pm

It is shocking how many people do not understand how this is still affecting us, and now Universal Credit is adding to my mental health problems. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and if you do not help us, the UK will not recover economically. I can't take much more!