Nearly two-thirds of Sheffield self-employed workers claimed help in August

But the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed says businesses still "reeling" from the impact of Covid-19 need further support, as a second wave of the virus seems imminent.

HM Revenue and Customs figures show around 14,800 people in Sheffield applied to the second round of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) between August 17 and the end of the month.

That was 64 per cent of those in the area who were eligible to make a claim.

From May 13 to mid-July, eligible self-employed workers could claim a grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits for a three-month period, limited to £7,500.

The grant was extended in August, but lowered to 70 per cent of profits and capped at £6,570, with applications closing on October 19.

Claims made by people in Sheffield amounted to £34.6 million, or £2,300 per person on average. In the first round of the scheme the average claim was worth £2,700.

Construction workers made the largest number of claims across Yorkshire and the Humber (46,700) and the most common age group for applicants was 45-54 (40,300). This pattern was repeated across the UK.

They were among 147,000 seeking support – 61 per cent of those eligible across the region, which saw an average claim of £2,400.

Across the UK, just over two million people applied in August – a take-up rate of 60 per cent, with claims totalling £5.1 billion or £2,500 on average.

Andy Chamberlain, director of policy at IPSE, said the scheme has been a vital lifeline for those who are eligible: "But now is not the time to withdraw support completely. Self-employed businesses are still reeling from the economic impact of coronavirus and many of them were excluded from SEISS because of its strict eligibility criteria."

The group is calling on the Government to introduce a new round of support to ensure struggling businesses can stay afloat.

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