‘Discriminatory’ SEISS challenged

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has mounted a legal challenge to the government that alleges that its Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is discriminatory, as it has excluded large numbers of freelance workers.

NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet explained: “We’re taking this legal step because it is clearly wrong and grossly unfair that some workers have been given vital support whilst others have been cast adrift. Even at this late stage our hope remains that the government will rethink and take urgent measures to right this wrong."

The SEISS and CJRS schemes were designed to help employed and self-employed workers, but the government excluded PAYE freelancers from SEISS and has also often excluded them from the CJRS.

https://www.nuj.org.uk/news/nuj-submits-legal-challenge-to-governments-lockdown-support