I have written to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland asking that the remaining £500,000 of the £1.5million Coronavirus Emergency Programme monies be made available, by way of a genuine hardship fund, to support independent practitioners facing immediate financial hardship:
I have written to the Chancellor asking what measures are being explored to support sole traders, who have fallen through the cracks of both the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme:
I have written to the First Minister and deputy First Minister asking if the Executive would consider putting in place a mechanism whereby case by case queries can be referred to, and ruled on, to provide business owners with clarity on reopening and returning to work:
I have written to the Chancellor suggesting that the furlough scheme be amended to be more flexible for charity & VCS organisations, to assist them in carrying out their essential functions: