UKFT is urging the government to provide support for individuals or companies not eligible for any existing Covid-19 related protection schemes.

The Association has been speaking with companies and individuals throughout the UK fashion and textile industry over the past few weeks. Consequently, it has identified several issues that need addressing urgently.

UKFT refers to these affected companies as the “forgotten middle”

They include the owners and/or founders of small limited companies who derive their income from a limited company but not through PAYE. Also, the self-employed who have not shown any profits and those who were employed after 28 February.

UKFT is raising this issue with the government on a daily basis, as is the CBI. It is also raising many other issues with the government including;

• Difficulty of accessing coronavirus business support loans
• The need for a rates holiday for all businesses
• The huge difficulty caused by retailers and brands cancelling orders
• The limitations of the Small Business Grant scheme
• The need to make the finance from the support schemes available much more quickly
• The need for the government to significantly increase the support available to the industry when the immediate crisis has passed

UKFT is inviting companies or individuals experiencing any of the problems above to get in touch. Please contact paul.alger@ukft.org with as much detail as possible. UKFT can then share this feedback with the government.

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