Covid Low-income support for self-isolators branded “inadequate”

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams

The Government’s plan to offer £13 per day for those low-paid workers who are forced to self-isolate due to Coronavirus has been slammed by one of Oldham’s MPs.

Debbie Abrahams, who represents Oldham East and Saddleworth at Westminster, has welcomed the announcement but says the amount of money people can receive falls well short of where it should.

Under the proposal those who are showing symptoms of the virus and receive either Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit, can apply to receive £13 per day after they have received a positive test.

As part of the scheme, those within the same household who have to self-isolate for 14-days will be able to claim £182.

But Mrs Abrahams says those figures simply aren’t enough: “I’m pleased the government has responded to my plea for financial support for anyone having to self-isolate after testing positive for Covid, but £13 a day is clearly inadequate. 

“This won’t come close to covering people’s lost income. Self-isolating should be viewed as a civic duty, in the same way jury service is, and no-one should lose out financially.”

Her comments have been echoed by the leader of Oldham Council, Councillor Sean Fielding, who added: “Sadly this offer is nowhere near enough to provide real support, and it shows how out of touch with ordinary people this Government is.

“I stand with the Time Out To Help Out campaign in asking Government to support people across the country to self-isolate on full pay. People should not have to worry about loss of income whilst being asked to self-isolate. Oldham residents have pulled together to face this crisis, we now need Government do to their bit.

“We need a real and meaningful offer of support for Oldham residents who deserve better”.

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