Commenting ahead of the Chancellor’s briefing on support for
self-employed workers during the Covid-19 outbreak, Dr Mary
Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union,
said:
“In these unsettling times it is imperative that the Government
gives support to those who need it. Sadly, their response to the
plight of self-employed workers in recent days has been far from
adequate.
“There is currently a lack of clarity in existing guidance about
whether the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme applies to supply
staff. has previously stated
that all workers employed via PAYE are eligible for 80% cover up
to a cap of £2,500 per month, but we believe this should be
extended to the self-employed. The Chancellor must be explicit on
this point.
“Supply teachers, agency teaching assistants and others working
in the education sector must have proper financial stability, on
a genuine like-for-like with their PAYE counterparts.
“It is crucial to remember that supply has been the first part of
the education system to be privatised. Even when fully employed,
agency and supply workers include some of the poorest and most
vulnerable members of the teaching profession.
“We are calling on our members to write to their MP demanding
clarity on this issue. We are also urging schools to continue to
employ supply and agency staff during this period and many have
agreed to do so.”
