A travel agent has highlighted the plight for limited companies in the industry which are not eligible for financial aid and are fighting to stay afloat in the current crisis.
Jill Waite, director of Pole Travel in Failsworth, said she has already furloughed her four staff under the government’s new job retention scheme.
However, under the latest financial aid for self-employed workers, those with limited companies do not qualify. They cannot furlough themselves as this would mean they could not work to keep their businesses afloat.
For Waite, this means she cannot claim any income for herself while she runs the business on her own, although her company is eligible for the new small business grant of £10,000.
She has already emailed her MP, the prime minister and chancellor Rishi Sunak on the issue, describing herself and others in the same boat as “the forgotten ones”.
She said: “I am fighting to keep my company going, but cannot get any financial help. I feel this is a large chunk of small travel companies that need help here.
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“People who are sole traders can claim up to 80% of their salary but not if you are a limited company. I was advised to become a limited company when I took over in 2010.
“I have furloughed my staff to protect their jobs but I can’t furlough myself because I have to work; I can’t just leave my business.
“The small business grant is all the money I am going to get to keep my business going and for me. I already live quite frugally and don’t have massive savings; I have put all my money into the business.”
She said that not knowing how long this would go on for only added to the difficulties for travel agencies, adding: “I think we have to face reality that this could go on into May or June, and who knows beyond that.”