A NEW income support scheme will give self-employed workers financial aid.

The grant is worth 80 per cent of their average monthly profits over the last three years - up to £2,500 per month for three months.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak hopes to get the scheme running by June.

He said: "I'm proud of what we have done so far but know that self-employed people are deeply anxious about the help available for them.

"Many people, through no fault of their own, risk losing their livelihoods.You have not been forgotten, we will not leave you behind and we will stand together."

Until the scheme is in place, some self-employed people can apply for Universal Credit benefits.

This is the latest government programme introduced to help workers and businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.

A scheme to help small businesses has had 30,000 inquiries in four days - and local authorities have allowed 7,000 shops and sites to not pay business rates.