As almost never before UK start-ups are under acute threat and not just as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Urgent help is required to support them. The proposed government Future Fund is unattractive to most start-ups and something simpler is required. Increasing the EIS tax relief could be done very easily and extremely rapidly - in days and not weeks.

It seems to me that the payment holiday being offered by banks and credit card lenders is a bit of an empty gesture. Yes it will allow customers to miss 3 months of payments without incurring additional charges for being unable to pay the monthly bill, but the interest on those payments will continue to accrue. In simple terms, these companies are making extra profit from their customers pandemic induced difficulties. this cannot be right, or fair.

Tax payers in the public sector have not been supported in the same way as the private sector. They deserve the same level of support in terms of furloughing (80% of salary up to £2,500).

NHS workers are not only working hard to care for all during this crisis at the moment, we are also working a lot extra and having annual leave cancelled to cover the crisis. We are all working a lot of extra hours but are being penalised massively by tax. I believe that all NHS workers should not be taxed on overtime and NHSP shifts whilst this crisis is ongoing. Not only are we attending work like lambs to the slaughter we are also paying a lot more in tax for the privilege of covering the front line and keeping people safe.

It’s imperative that help to save and sustain small businesses. The current climate will have catastrophic effects of the economy and socio economic issues in the community. We need to protect jobs and the businesses. I have asked the government to consider to refund the last two quarters of VAT for all businesses who have been trading for over 3 years or more and have set up a petition, This would help  SMEs to survive over the next few weeks and months . They too have outstanding bills to pay especially to their suppliers.  We know the Government has done a lot in terms of furloughed staff and the self employed. However unfortunately very little has been suggested for the owners of SMEs other than to get a loan.  Sadly not all companies could afford to take this on and repay; Especially now that businesses have been affected by this crisis. In addition the banks are NOT lending. I believe this initiative would be easy to implement and could possibly save thousands of businesses across the U.K. Notwithstanding all the monies could be returned over a period of time.  I plead with you to-put this forward in your capacity as a very high profile person in the media and within the government. I would be very grateful if you could sign and share the petition. As you know I need 10000 for it to be considered. Many thanks and stay safe and healthy.

The world is in such a turmoil and we need this. We have far too many politicians in the first place

This Virus doesnt discriminate

While some companies are making huge losses due to COVID-19, some others, including the Supermarkets and Amazon, stand to make large additional profits on the back of social distancing regulations. Just as it is fair and important that companies badly affected by the regulations, including High Steet shops and restaurants, are supported by the Treasury, it is also fair and important that no company should PROFIT from the crisis. Therefore, any additional profits should be recycled as tax to offset the cost of supporting the loss making businesses. (Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash)

WE should never forget that the same banks rescued by taxpayers 12 years ago are failing to return the favour. The granting of loans to keep businesses and jobs alive has been shamefully and pitifully slow despite being largely underwritten by public money. Banks seems to find every excuse not to lend. This after we bailed them out in 2008. Chancellor Rishi Sunak must bypass the banks and grant loans direct from the Treasury, as happens abroad. Hundreds of thousands of small firms and their staff do not have months to wait.They’ll be destitute in days

If you are newly self-employed, sadly the Chancellor said no to including you this tax year. Under the Self-employment Income Support Scheme, the state will pay 80% of average profits up to £2,500/mth (provided total annual profits are under £50,000). The average profit is based on earnings in the three tax years up to 5 Apr 2019. This leaves those who started a business after that in the lurch. Even some who started the year before may fall foul, as to qualify, over 50% of annual income needs to be from self-employment. The Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been asked if he'd change the guidance to include profits of those who submit speedy tax returns for the most recent tax year. In his video answer, sadly he said no. Another gaping hole that needs fixing. Please sign this petition to help small businesses survive through the Coronavirus, to help the people with no income to pay their bills and look after their families. Thank you so much.

We bailed out the banks, it is time for the banks to repay that debt! The three-month holiday from monthly payments is a standard feature in mortgage products offered by lenders and is nothing new. The banks are offering only to waive the assessment process of the customers financials in order to obtain approval of the facility. This facility will prove profitable for the banks, it is nothing more than a deferment of these payments into the future. Lenders still charge interest during this period and simply add this interest to the loan which will then increase monthly direct debit payments. For those people who have been struggling to meet their monthly expenses before the lockdown, how can they be expected to meet the additional cost of this facility once payments resume. The solution is to apply a three-month break from mortgage and loan payments without adding penalties and charges and simply increase the term of the loan by three months. No-one is winning here, we all have to do our bit and now it is time for banks to do theirs. The public suffered years of austerity and are in return asking for three months!

For those working through the pandemic it would be helpful to have some form of financial support to help support them and their families, who members of which may be on furlough and losing money or worse have been made unemployed. Not being eligible , for example, for mortgage assistance as I rent this would make a big difference.