New self-isolation payment scheme is so limited it will still leave millions of families facing financial problems

'Paltry payments' will not make the difference needed, says the TUC

The government's new COVID-19 self-isolation payment scheme is so limited it will still leave millions of families still facing financial problems, the TUC has said.

Further to the government's announcement yesterday that the new payment scheme will start on 1 September 2020, the TUC says that the 'belated concession' by ministers that many families face an impossible choice between hardship and health will still leave people struggling if they have to self-isolate.

For example, the UC highlights that -

• the £13-a-day pay-out will only apply to those under local coronavirus lockdowns;
• the applicant has to be unable to work from home and be receiving universal credit or working tax credit; and
• the scheme only applies to England.

With seven out of eight households not in receipt of the relevant benefits to be able to claim the new payment, and most potentially eligible workers - even those on universal credit or working tax credit - missing out because their area is not in local lockdown, the TUC says being forced into isolation without being able to work from home still means a massive income hit for many families.

Commenting on the new scheme, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said -