Financial support for the 4.5 million self-employed, including landlords is on the way, promises Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

He has pledged a package to replace lost income will be announced shortly – possibly today (Thursday 26 March 2020) but within a couple of days.

In the last Prime Minister’s Questions before the Easter break, Johnson said that ministers were “working as fast as we possibly can to get the appropriate package of support for everybody in this country“.

He admitted “particular complexities” in addressing financial support for the self-employed.

“They are not all in the same position and all I can say is that we are working as fast as we possibly can to get the appropriate package of support for everybody in this country,”  he said.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak may announce new measures to support self-employed workers in tomorrow’s late afternoon press conference.

The government is underwriting 80% of pay received in February for employees who have lost income due to coronavirus.

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Energy efficiency rules go ahead in April

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng confirmed energy efficiency regulations for domestic properties are going ahead in April.

The measure requires all landlords to have a minimum energy efficiency E rating for rental property and bans letting homes rated F or G.

Call to raise Rent A Room tax relief to £9,500

Financial Secretary to the Treasury Jesse Norman confirmed Rent A Room Relief for live-in landlords is under constant review.

He was responding to a written question in the Commons from Tory backbencher Andrew Lewer, MP for Northampton South.

Norman agreed to hold a virtual meeting with the Lodger Landlords Association to consider raising the £7,500 tax relief to £9,500 for landlords taking in two or more lodgers.

Defer filing company accounts

Corporate landlords can take advantage of a three month stay in filing company accounts without facing any penalty for lateness.

However, postponing the filing is subject to Companies House granting approval. Applications can be made online and are automatically approved.

Make an application to delay company accounts due to coronavirus

£500m council tax hardship fund

Vulnerable households of working age receiving Local Council Tax Support can apply to councils reduce their council tax bills during the coronavirus crisis.