andy chamberlain, thank you forjoining us.ty chief medical officerjenny harries. beside him was the deputy chief medical officerjenny harries. 0ur health correspondent nick triggle is here. she had a pointed question concerning testing. the suggestion was that we as a nation seem to have given up on widescale testing, compared to some of the other countries around the world who are dealing with this. what was her response to that? the government and health officials have been criticised for the approach to testing, but she was clear, that different countries are at different stages of the outbreak. in the early stages of the outbreak. in the early stages we were testing every case, trying to contain the virus, but we have moved past that. the issue in the uk with testing at the moment is we are doing about 6000—7000 a day and they are only being offered to hospital patients, health staff and other emergency workers. some cannot get a ccess other emergency workers. some cannot get access to them and that means they have to be t

andy chamberlain from the association of independent professionals and the self employed, known as ipseasures introduced yesterday. it is great news for employees, it is very generous from the government, but if you are self—employed you are going to get nowhere near as generous a package is if you are employed. we think that is an imbalance that needs to change. so what specifically needs to come now? we have actually been calling for a temporary income protection fund for the self—employed. we had mooted the idea of covering 80% of what a self—employed person can reasonably expect to earn if it weren't for this crisis, so match 80% of that and the government give it to them. instead, what they have done is they have deferred some tax, which is helpful, but it isjust a deferral, they are not giving it away. they will still have to pay it. and they have made some changes to the welfare system around universal credit, which they should have done anyway. so this really... what it amounts to is nothing like as generous. for self—employed people as it is for employees. and what are you hear

let's talk now to andy chamberlain, who is from the association of independent professionals there isract workers are not included and will have to rely on benefits. thank you for joining us. you have been meeting with government, i understand, this week. were you surprised that there was not more on friday? well actually, we have not met with government. the government has been meeting with lots of business groups, but not with us. we have written to the prime minister this week, we wrote to the edge of the chancellor some time ago, we wrote to the secretary of state for health and the secretary of state for work and the secretary of state for work and pensions. we are disappointed in the package of measures introduced yesterday. it is great news for employees, it is very generous from the government, but if you are self—employed you are going to get no where near as generous a package is if you are employed. we think thatis is if you are employed. we think that is an imbalance that needs to change. so what specifically needs to come now? we have actually been calling for a temporary

here with me now to discuss that is andy chamberlain from the association of independent professionals way?” significant gap that the cabinet means to plug in some way? ijust say self—employed people did not get the benefit of this paper, or indeed more and plan because they did not have an employee. i'll be asking is to first of all issued guidance specifically for freelancers and self—employed. what back the circumstances? secondly when calling on then to put in place a mitigation fund which can be accessed from self—employed people whose income is likely to be affected. what an appetite and stars. but ideally it would you like that to say? we are saying freelancers should speak to their clients, and where possible should work from home. we urge contractors and real answers to do that sooner rather than later. if they can't work through sickness, their income is not protected in the same way that it is for most employees. we suggest to them, paper perhaps should self—isolate early said they did not contract the infection. it's easier if there is guidance out there for the government

andy chamberlain, from the association of independent professionals and the self—employed.ggling for work and worried about how she will afford her rent. that is her housemate emily alongside her. tracey cryer runs a small businesses supplying support staff and teachers into special needs school, says she has no idea what to tell her staff and emily samuel, a 23 year old primary school supply teacher who has had to self isolate due to a pre—existing lung condition. i'm going to start, veronica, with an e—mail. sudhir is a 71—year—old living on my own and working as a self employed science and maths private tutor. i have never claimed any benefit except my state pension. if i am asked to self—isolate there will be a sharp drop in my income. do i expect any financial support from the government for loss of income and if so who do i contact? first, it is important to point out that there is an entitlement guide on our uk website which you can access and have a look at. the situation is entirely dependent on circumstances, so if he has any savings or property that could come in

speaking to us from their homes are andy chamberlain from the association of independent professionalsncern about self—employed people being left behind. what do you think of the chance‘s measures? left behind. what do you think of the chance's measures? it is probably overall a generous package but i did not hear specific mention of self—employed people and freelancers. i was concerned that they were being left behind and i am not reassured yet. there were a couple of hints on what he said but what we really need to hear is a kind of guarantee of self—employed income is. that is the crucial thing. self—employed people need to be told if you run out of work or you are self—isolating we will make sure you have the in —— the income needed to meet living costs. graham, you are a freelance technician in the events industry. how did you react to the measures announced by the chancellor? the issue my industry and other self—employed into his face is that money is running out quickly, even, i am under self—isolation myself, the issue in my industry is we are looking atjuly, august before work