MSE Poll: What financial support have you accessed during the pandemic?

MSE_Petar

Poll started 19 January 2021

The coronavirus crisis has hit the UK economy hard, with millions struggling financially as a result. Support from the Government, local councils and financial firms has been through the furlough scheme, self-employment grants, benefits, mortgage and other credit repayment holidays and more – though sadly not everyone has been able to access this help. This week, with much of the country in lockdown again, we want to know if you've accessed any Covid-related financial support.

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203846930

Don't qualify - no further comment.

meady64

as above - don't qualify, so got none
classed as "key worker" so like NHS etc worked all through
any chance of a cheque from the government for everyone had to work through pandemic for say 50% of their wages over lockdown period as a thank you?
i doubt it

nomoneytoday

Self employed, starting after being laid off from Thomas Cook.
Got absolutely no support from the government, UC, benefits, lockdown allowances or council awards as was PAYE up to Sept 2019.
Believe I am One of 3 million #excluded..

Tokmon

meady64 said:

as above - don't qualify, so got none
classed as "key worker" so like NHS etc worked all through
any chance of a cheque from the government for everyone had to work through pandemic for say 50% of their wages over lockdown period as a thank you?
i doubt it

You think you should get 50% extra wages for working through lockdown!?!?. 
Your already getting paid for your work so I don't know why you think you should get extra. I'm happy to be working because it atleast gets me out of the house and a bit of social interaction, I wouldn't like to be furloughed now in the winter with bad weather and nothing to do.

Ectophile

I'm not entirely sure what the difference is in practice between "none - not eligible" and "none - haven't needed support".  There must be a large number of people to whom both of those apply.  If the government was to offer me free money, I would take it.  But I'm not eligible, not least because I don't need it.

jackieblack

Tokmon said:

meady64 said:

as above - don't qualify, so got none
classed as "key worker" so like NHS etc worked all through
any chance of a cheque from the government for everyone had to work through pandemic for say 50% of their wages over lockdown period as a thank you?
i doubt it

You think you should get 50% extra wages for working through lockdown!?!?. 
Your already getting paid for your work so I don't know why you think you should get extra. I'm happy to be working because it atleast gets me out of the house and a bit of social interaction, I wouldn't like to be furloughed now in the winter with bad weather and nothing to do.

I can see both sides of this.
Those of us whose job hasn’t been affected and who have worked all through as normal are lucky in respect of still having their jobs and stability.
However, it does also mean that some people have been working extremely long hours in extremely difficult conditions, effectively for 20% of pay, compared to their colleagues who have been sat at home on 80%.
I have multiple friends/family who will have long lasting effects from the extreme physical and emotional strain they have been working under for the last year, while some on furlough have had a great time, chilling at home, saving far more than the 20% their pay has been reduced by, whereas others who have been furloughed have struggled to just pay for basic essentials.
 I totally agree that those working through are just doing the job they signed up for, but no-one signed up for the unprecedented circumstances of the last 10 months.
 I don’t have any answers, but I can see that people’s experiences of the last 10 months have been very different and can see why there are people on all  sides feeling like they have been treated unfairly.

pearl123

A big zero. Living very simply, as very worry about the future. 
Unfortunatly, I don't believe there is  a swift exit out of this  pandemic. Vacines  will be playing cat an mouse with the new variants for a long time.

lakesider52

The bigger issue with the working from home tax allowance is the fact that it is far too low and needs to be reviewed urgently. People not claiming it is hardly an issue as you cannot legislate for stupidity or laziness but perhaps the fact that it is set at such a low level that does not reflect the additional costs of W.F.H. is a contributory factor.

Kim_kim

lakesider52 said:

The bigger issue with the working from home tax allowance is the fact that it is far too low and needs to be reviewed urgently. People not claiming it is hardly an issue as you cannot legislate for stupidity or laziness but perhaps the fact that it is set at such a low level that does not reflect the additional costs of W.F.H. is a contributory factor.

Yes the wfh allowance is paltry.  Many people have had to give over areas of their home to become a home office, buy desks & chairs.  Extra heating.  I know there isn’t commuting costs but for some the loss of square footage doesn’t compensate.