In the Economic Update in the House of Commons on 17 March, Stephen pressed Chancellor Rishi Sunak on coronavirus, self-employed people and Universal Credit.
Current rules mean that for someone who is self-employed, self-isolation means giving up their income. Applicants for Universal Credit have to wait five weeks for their first payment. If they need income sooner, they can only access a loan.
Stephen said: “I am pleased Ministers are drawing up an employment support package. They need to make urgent changes to Universal Credit – including scrapping the five week wait – and announce their package very soon.”