BASILDON Council's leader is calling on the government to help those who are self-employed get through the coronavirus pandemic.

Gavin Callaghan is calling on the central government to step up support for self-employed people as coronavirus threatens their livelihoods.

Mr Callaghan has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rushi Sunak, saying Basildon has a large number of self-employed people in a variety of fields who, through no fault of their own, are facing a considerable period of reduced income and hardship.

Citing the economic importance of the thousands of self-employed people in the Basildon borough, Mr Callaghan asked the Government to take immediate action to include them in the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme so that they have a guaranteed basic income.

In his letter, he wrote to the chancellor: "In your announcements so far, you have rightly taken steps to safeguard 80 per cent of wages up to £2,500 for PAYE workers. This will be done through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

"However, at present there has not been any announcement on measures you are taking to support self-employed workers. This is leaving far too many workers uncertain about their financial futures.

"As you will appreciate, Essex is the home of the UK entrepreneur and Basildon has a large number of self-employed and 'one man bands' who make an honest living in a variety of fields.

"The self-employed represents a significant chunk of Basildon workforce and it is vital that they are now given the same support as PAYE workers.

"Therefore, can I ask you to take immediate action to include the self-employed in the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme so that they have a guaranteed basic income.

"This will offer security to millions of workers in the UK and thousands in the Basildon borough."