Self-employed workers will be able to claim support worth 80% of their average earnings in an "unprecedented" move to cover the impact of coronavirus, Rishi Sunak has announced.
The Chancellor said the move - worth up to a maximum of £2,500 a month - would cover 95% of self-employed workers.
The package comes after the Government came under sustained pressure as its initial package of financial support only covered employees.
Sunak said: "To support those who work for themselves, today I am announcing a new self-employed income support scheme.
"The Government will pay self-employed people who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus a taxable grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits over the last three years, up to £2,500 a month."
Boris Johnson has previously warned that the self-employed may not be able to get through the coronavirus crisis "without any kind of hardship at all".
But the Prime Minister said he wanted to get "parity of support" so the self-employed could have similar levels of protection to waged workers.
Sunak set out plans for 80% wage subsidies for PAYE employees last week.
Meanwhile, a national salute will take place on Thursday evening to honour the hardworking NHS staff who are trying to battle coronavirus.
In a gesture of thanks to the frontline healthcare heroes, everyone across the nation has been invited to join a a mass round of applause from their doorsteps, windows and balconies at 8pm.
