Jury service for wife - I'd lose income due to childcare

paulineb_2

[quote=[Deleted User];64804271]But its me who is self-employed not the wife. She wouldnt lose any income because shes on maternity. Can't see them paying me.

Also, £64. What planet are they on where a self-employed person earns that much. In my business, I've got costs etc and absolute bottom rate minimum is about 3x that.

Also, how comes HMRC recommend 45p a mile for car expenses but they get to pay 31p. Doesnt make sense.[/QUOTE]

Some people will earn 64 pounds a day as a self employed person.
Your costs arent relevant as other people have said, its your wife who has been called to jury service. Its not your self employment thats the issue, its your difficulties getting childcare.

If you had childcare then none of this would be a concern. All your wife can do is explain the circumstances, also, just because you are asked to report for jury duty, doesnt mean you'll actually be picked, some people are and others are sent home.

[Deleted User]

DKLS wrote: »

Exactly I recently hired an app coder on £500 a day, I dont think she would want to be swapping for £64 a day. Its all very well "doing your duty" but you shouldnt have to suffer financially to do so.

Yep. Same business as me. Never ever seen a contract for £64 day or even close.

paulineb_2

[quote=[Deleted User];64804369]Yep. Same business as me. Never ever seen a contract for £64 day or even close.[/QUOTE]

People in salaried jobs can claim 64 pounds a day maximum

The rules for self employed people are different, according to this you can claim based on loss of earnings

http://jury-service.co.uk/claiming-allowances-for-jury-service

BillJones

DKLS wrote: »

This is the main reason why I will never do Jury service I dont see why I should be massively out of pocket.

That's part of the contract for being part of society. YOu pay taxes, are entitled to benefits, police, fire service etc, and can be called up for jury service.

It's not really on to take the bits of the social contract that you like, but then refuse to do the bits that you prefer not to.

DKLS

paulineb wrote: »

People in salaried jobs can claim 64 pounds a day maximum

The rules for self employed people are different, according to this you can claim based on loss of earnings

http://jury-service.co.uk/claiming-allowances-for-jury-service

Doesnt come anywhere near covering contract rates of pay. The maximum you would get is £228.06 per day and you only collect that if the trial hits 201 days!.

[Deleted User]

DKLS wrote: »

Doesnt come anywhere near covering contract rates of pay. The maximum you would get is £228.06 per day and you only collect that if the trial hits 201 days!.

Yep. Even £228 is right at the bottom of the scale. To be honest, if it was me down for jury duty and they paid me the £228 from the off I'd do it.
Bit of a loss but not the end of the world. £64 is just nuts though.

I do have PCG insurance which covers up to £300 (and I believe QDOS cover up to £500) as well.

One other thing though. Whereas an employer might be a bit put out if an employee disappears for two weeks they'll likely suck it up because they've no choice - they're not going to sack you because of it.

Disappearing for two weeks in the middle of a 3 month contract where they've got you in specially is possibly going to greatly upset a client. Might mean they would'nt extend after the 3 months so the potential losses are huge.

But in this case, its the childcare/wife situation not me.

Norman_Castle

[quote=[Deleted User];64804271]But its me who is self-employed not the wife. She wouldnt lose any income because shes on maternity. Can't see them paying me. Contact the court and explain your wife's situation.

Also, £64. What planet are they on where a self-employed person earns that much. In my business, I've got costs etc and absolute bottom rate minimum is about 3x that.

Also, how comes HMRC recommend 45p a mile for car expenses but they get to pay 31p. Doesnt make sense.[/QUOTE]
...........................

InsideInsurance

DKLS wrote: »

Exactly I recently hired an app coder on £500 a day, I dont think she would want to be swapping for £64 a day. Its all very well "doing your duty" but you shouldnt have to suffer financially to do so.

You can get insurance as a contractor/ freelancer that covers loss of rates for being called into jury service. A couple of the contractor organisations include it "for free" as part of their membership

As to the OP, you can claim loss of earnings or expenses, so presumably your wife goes, you do your normal work and put through the additional childcare as the expense (£64.95 per day is allowed for the first 10 days and this goes up as the number of days increases)

DKLS

InsideInsurance wrote: »

You can get insurance as a contractor/ freelancer that covers loss of rates for being called into jury service. A couple of the contractor organisations include it "for free" as part of their membership

Thanks I didnt know that.

notanewuser

[quote=[Deleted User];64804271]But its me who is self-employed not the wife. She wouldnt lose any income because shes on maternity. Can't see them paying me.

Also, £64. What planet are they on where a self-employed person earns that much. In my business, I've got costs etc and absolute bottom rate minimum is about 3x that.

Also, how comes HMRC recommend 45p a mile for car expenses but they get to pay 31p. Doesnt make sense.[/QUOTE]

And yet you'll happily claim £74 a week JSA when you aren't working.