The second round of applications for the Government’s Self-Employment Support Scheme is now open – and some self-employed workers could be eligible for grants of over £6,000.
If you’re self-employed (or a member of a partnership) and have been adversely affected by coronavirus, you might qualify for a chunk of funding from this latest support package.
Designed to help sole traders, the grant is the second of its kind following an initial round of funding announced earlier this summer.
All claims for this latest grant must be made on or before 19 October 2020.
To be in with a chance of claiming this grant, you must be self-employed with a business that has been adversely affected on or after 14 July 2020.
There are a number of reasons why you might not have been able to trade effectively during this period.
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For example, you may have been shielding or self-isolating, lost income due to fewer clients/customers, experienced issues in your supply chain, or had to pay out for PPE to operate safely.
To be eligible for the grant, you must have also traded in the tax year 2018-19 and submitted your Self Assessment tax return on or before 23 April 2020 for that year.
Your business must have also traded in the tax year 2019-20 and intends to continue operating in the year 2020-21.
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Trading profits must be no more than £50,000.
Grants are not applicable to those trading through a limited company or a trust.
First, the Government will determine your eligibility by examining your 2018-19 Self Assessment return.
If you qualify and your business has suffered a financial hit, a taxable grant may be distributed based on your average trading profit over the past three tax years (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19).
The grant is worth 70% of average monthly trading profits and will be paid out in a single instalment covering three months’ worth of profits.
You’ll need your Self Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), National Insurance Number, Government Gateway user details and bank information to hand.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
17th August 2020 
