[AuRavelling79]

Just to let you know where I am personally on working.

When Boris's announcement came through I listened on Radio 4 sat in my car in London on double yellows as my wife and daughter got her gear out of her flat and we brought it all back to Bristol for the duration.

At that point I thought - that's it we're in lockdown. It was easy to drive into London (no lockdown at that point) less people on the streets even then (we arrived at 7.30pm) and many more then here wearing masks.

On the way home we discussed our options - including my wife whatsapping my other daughters and sons in law.

I personally decided not to work and took the view that I would have no great financial problem to sit it out for three weeks if I had to. But my daughters don't have the same situation. One daughter can no longer operate as a hairdresser, another has had her playgroup leader job put on hold. The other daughter (the one that was in London) has applied for and started a job at Tesco's nearby.

Yesterday evening I decided that personally I would sit it out this week and see how it looks by the end of the weekend.

The road outside is quieter today than yesterday; I have had in the last hour three commercials (crane hire/a car dealer/pump hire company) email me that they are shutting for at least three weeks.

[johnwillan]

The economic scenario is "tricky" but resolvable in time

The kids not at school will end up finishing paying for this one.

Yes this is true as with all previous economic issues War Etc... It implies Purgatory but "most" don't care,  I think the Romans understood Society with the comment "Bread & Circuses" - keep Society Fed & Entertained - That's it - Simples! 

[Spruce]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL-H0h9Pi_A

[Tomo]

Morning guys.  Someone on here said the reason that the government has allowed or tweaked  the wording to say you can travel to work if it cant be done from is because theres no financial help coming anytime soon  when they do get a financial package for us if they do then maybe it will change. 

All those who through financial worry not greed are trying to work today despite the looks u get or treatment are mostly only doing it as they need to. If I could stay home for 6 months or a year I would. But my 16 month old daughter dictates otherwise . She is my primary concern and my family  yes it's a rock and a hard place.  Government says go to work if you can apply the public health guidelines England.  My cousin works in mental health and said if this goes on for extended period you  will have many many casualties to something other than coronavirus.  Do what each one wants as long as it's safe legal and operating as the government has asked. Dont rip  into others no point. Dont fear for your business give it a go if folks cancel they will after  the relaxing of the lockdown anyway as they will prioritize their income ( this has already happened to me) so do what u can whilst you can.

[G Griffin]

Two good posts, Malc.
We've had the Phoney War; confusion about whether to work or not.
Now we are entering our Darkest Hour; people have had enough (even after a day or two) and looking at returning to work. Yesterday's news didn't help with that (especially Sturgeon).
But let this be our Finest Hour. Let us hang on until the government make an offer.
Don't make peace with Hitler (and flout) when we are so close to the Americans (government) coming to assist us.
I shall never surrender, anyway.

[P @ F]

I will wait to see the outcome off this help package , I think it might come tonight, if not that then at least a clearer explanation of who  can safely go to work .
Boris needs to do one or the other soon , even do as Ms Sturgeon did and say we are good to go , if the public see that then we might not get vilified as much !

[zesty]

I will wait to see the outcome off this help package , I think it might come tonight, if not that then at least a clearer explanation of who  can safely go to work .
Boris needs to do one or the other soon , even do as Ms Sturgeon did and say we are good to go , if the public see that then we might not get vilified as much !

Same, gonna wait for the details on what help we get!

Depends if we are forced to stop working or not. If we are still allowed to work, we won’t be entitled to anything at all!

[Bungle]

Boris gave the country a clear message on Monday night. ‘You must stay at home.’ Was he telling me it was still ok to go to work on Tuesday? I don’t think so. Now it all seems to be getting watered down with a lot of confusion. People in my road work in factories and they’ve been going off to work everyday. Why? I fear we won’t be getting any help and told we can carry on working safely. Then of course we will have to face possible backlash from the public. I’ve read on the other forum about window cleaners vans being vandalised.

[Arnold Palmer]

Boris is a shambles.

[G Griffin]

I don't think the backlash from the public will be as bad if we get stitched up by the government. They might understand our situation more or even be in the same boat. Maybe help them out. A free clean? Do a bit of shopping for them?
Work with the public. A united public is more powerful than the government. We could force them to help us out.
I don't think the government can afford to alienate most of us; even if costs them the earth.

[Forum Admin]

Boris is not a shambles, very easy for many to say....the general public is a shambles!

Many have ignored him for weeks and now the curve rises more are listening, shame on many.

It's clear that the self employed will be helped it's also clear and makes sense that this will take longer to sort out as it's not black and white with self employed.

Stay calm, be patient, think yourself lucky....your current main concern is whether or not to carry on working....many others are planning funerals and awaiting to hear the progress of loved ones in hospital in critical care.

[P @ F]

Think  it was on my local 10pm news last night , one of them “ Your questions answered slots “
Official was asked by viewer if he could still have tradesmen in the property,  he was told if he wanted a painter and decorator in then as long as 2m rule was observed then it would be fine 
But hold on , we can’t work !

[Arnold Palmer]

Boris is not a shambles, very easy for many to say....the general public is a shambles!

You only have to look at the forum posts from yesterday to see the panic he's caused this week. Clear leadership from someone who we feel we can trust is what the general public need.

Boris is a shambles.

[P @ F]

I fail to see the complication in giving us the same as the employed, if anything it’s easier surely?
HMRC looks at what we did last year , divides that by 12 and takes off 20% , then pays me the remaining 80% 
I just did mine in 1 minute and I’m a thick window cleaner .
They just don’t want to do it that’s all .

I will just work out what I feel they should have paid me , if they don’t , and disappear it from my next return , if I come out the other side that is

[Forum Admin]

Boris is not a shambles, very easy for many to say....the general public is a shambles!

You only have to look at the forum posts from yesterday to see the panic he's caused this week. Clear leadership from someone who we feel we can trust is what the general public need.

Boris is a shambles.

If it was only that easy....if we knew everything about this very clear advice could be given with timescales etc. We don't know enough and therefore majority need to stick to the simple advice; if you can stay at home you must otherwise more will die...simples.

[Forum Admin]

I fail to see the complication in giving us the same as the employed, if anything it’s easier surely?
HMRC looks at what we did last year , divides that by 12 and takes off 20% , then pays me the remaining 80% 
I just did mine in 1 minute and I’m a thick window cleaner .
They just don’t want to do it that’s all .

I will just work out what I feel they should have paid me , if they don’t , and disappear it from my next return , if I come out the other side that is

The problem is you're looking at that from your situation, what about the director of company x for an example that earnt an average £1m a month, allow the government to give him £800k a month!?

[Jonny 87]

I fail to see the complication in giving us the same as the employed, if anything it’s easier surely?
HMRC looks at what we did last year , divides that by 12 and takes off 20% , then pays me the remaining 80% 
I just did mine in 1 minute and I’m a thick window cleaner .
They just don’t want to do it that’s all .

I will just work out what I feel they should have paid me , if they don’t , and disappear it from my next return , if I come out the other side that is

The problem is you're looking at that from your situation, what about the director of company x for an example that earnt an average £1m a month, allow the government to give him £800k a month!?

Nope, cap it at £2500 like everyone else in the employed sector.

If they were earning that much then surely they won’t be on the bread line.

[johnwillan]

Boris is not a shambles, very easy for many to say....the general public is a shambles!

Many have ignored him for weeks and now the curve rises more are listening, shame on many.

It's clear that the self employed will be helped it's also clear and makes sense that this will take longer to sort out as it's not black and white with self employed.

Stay calm, be patient, think yourself lucky....your current main concern is whether or not to carry on working....many others are planning funerals and awaiting to hear the progress of loved ones in hospital in critical care.

I was tempted to reply "Agreed" and in many ways I do but...

It is evident that people need SIMPLE CLEAR CONCISE DIRECTION -a LOCKDOWN - KEY WORKERS ONLY - UBI FOR ALL FURLOUGHED WORKERS does exactly that - the economics will play out over time

[johnwillan]

I fail to see the complication in giving us the same as the employed, if anything it’s easier surely?
HMRC looks at what we did last year , divides that by 12 and takes off 20% , then pays me the remaining 80% 
I just did mine in 1 minute and I’m a thick window cleaner .
They just don’t want to do it that’s all .

I will just work out what I feel they should have paid me , if they don’t , and disappear it from my next return , if I come out the other side that is

The problem is you're looking at that from your situation, what about the director of company x for an example that earnt an average £1m a month, allow the government to give him £800k a month!?

Nope, cap it at £2500 like everyone else in the employed sector.

If they were warming that much then surely they won’t be on the bread line.

The Chancellor stated the issue was: Paying people that ARE NOT AFFECTED eBay sellers etc would not be acceptable - I think the Construction Industry and Public Opinion may force his hand

[P @ F]

I fail to see the complication in giving us the same as the employed, if anything it’s easier surely?
HMRC looks at what we did last year , divides that by 12 and takes off 20% , then pays me the remaining 80% 
I just did mine in 1 minute and I’m a thick window cleaner .
They just don’t want to do it that’s all .

I will just work out what I feel they should have paid me , if they don’t , and disappear it from my next return , if I come out the other side that is

The problem is you're looking at that from your situation, what about the director of company x for an example that earnt an average £1m a month, allow the government to give him £800k a month!?

Well earning that he shouldn’t need any help should he , put him on the back burner for further investigation with a standard payment to survive until it is worked out .

It’s the sole trader and small biz that needs immediate attention