Please read and please stop asking the same questions

Jeremy535897

We try to be as helpful as we can, but this forum is overwhelmed with new threads that ask the same questions countless times. Some of us now cut and paste the same answer to a dozen threads at a time. New questions on this forum are falling into two categories: those that have already been answered, and those that can't yet be answered because we don't have the details. Search the existing threads before starting a new one. It is actually counterproductive to overwhelm us with the same questions. When there are further announcements that may change.
Following the Prime Minister's announcement of stringent new restrictions, I would hope that employers will at last allow people to work from home wherever possible, or apply to the coronavirus job retention scheme. Employees, don't ask about how you claim this (at least 100 threads). Your employer has to do it. It's set out in the Government's COVID-19:guidance for employees. For the self employed, there's no point in keeping on asking what help there is. It's set out in the Government's COVID-19: support for businesses. Other than that, it's universal credit or sometimes ESA. Do the eligibility checker. The Daily Mail thinks the Chancellor might announce further help for the self employed soon, but who knows.
There are a number of threads that talk about somehow getting more benefit than the proposals are designed to provide. That's a bit like tax avoidance. There also seems to be an expectation that nobody should be worse off (apart from landlords apparently). I will tell you now that there will be only three beneficiaries of this. Two of these are the usual suspects: the banks and the supermarkets. The rest of us will all lose out, and sadly some will be more badly affected than others.

calcotti

Thanks Jeremy.

Jeremy535897

I am probably wasting my words, but if it stops some repeat questions it will help.

bradders1983

The holiday section has been like this for weeks. People panic and lose the ability to read.

Jeremy535897

It would seem so.

diggingdude

could this be a sticky? seen some great advice copied and pasted by your good selves on multiple posts

Zanderman

Thanks Jeremy. I'd just point out that many more UK news outlets (all of them probably) than the Daily Mail think there may be more help for self-employed soon. Wouldn't want people to think the DM is the only source of wisdom!  There are many more, better-balanced, sources of news.

Jeremy535897

I never read newspapers because they are only there to sell, not to inform, but someone else posted the Daily Mail reference and so I crossed myself, took out the garlic and looked at it. There is also a thread with a link to an amendment to the Coronavirus bill giving self employed a statutory monthly pay based on 3 years' earnings capped at £2,917 a month. Personally I can't see the Government supporting it, but we live in remarkable times.

Jeremy535897

And thanks for the kind comments! I don't keep posting to this thread just to keep it near the top! Well, not really...

viv0147

SACRIFICE  After the new measures introduced tonight by Boris, some people are feeling aggrieved, but let us think about the sacrifices our parents and grandparents had to make in the 2 World wars. They were bombed, shot at, poisoned with gas, tortured, and millions died. We are being asked to lay on the couch and watch Netflix.

calcotti

Bump......