Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that self-employed grants will continue until September, with a full grant covering the period February to April.

In his Budget today, Sunak said those who have had turnover fall by 30 per cent or more will continue to receive the full 80 per cent grant.

He said: “As the economy reopens over the summer, it is fair to target our support towards those most affected by the pandemic.

“So people whose turnover has fallen by 30 per cent or more will continue to receive the full 80 per cent grant, and those whose turnover has fallen by less than 30 per cent will therefore have less need of taxpayer support, and will receive a 30 per cent grant.”

The fourth grant will provide three months of support at 80 per cent of average trading profits and for the fifth grant, people will continue to receive grants, with three months of average profits with the system, open for claims from late July.

Sunak also explained that when the scheme was launched, newly self-employed individuals could not qualify if they had not filed the 19/20 tax return. However, people who have now filed a 2020 tax return will be able to claim.

He added: “As the tax return deadline has now passed, I can announce today that provided they filed a tax return by midnight last night, over 600,000, more people, many of whom became self-employed last year, can now claim the fourth, and fifth grants.”