The decision to look again at what is being offered to people within those economic groupings came after feedback indicated that "the first set of economic support measures that have been put in place are not meeting the legitimate needs of a significant number of the self-employed and sole traders".

So far the States of Guernsey have offered financial help to a number of businesses which have seen their cashflow detrimentally affected by the pandemic, and those which have been forced to close during the lockdown.

It's previously been said that the construction industry is the worst affected, but the extent of the problem is not yet known. Hundreds of thousands of pounds have already been paid out though, in increased income support payments, through the States payroll co-funding scheme, and the hardship fund. 

The latest available statistics are that as of Tuesday 14 April, more than 700 businesses and traders had received some £2.2m of funds, meaning that their applications had resulted with money being put in their bank.

Deputy Lyndon Trott, the Vice-President of the Policy & Resources Committee, is leading the team implementing the financial support schemes. He said feedback on what they've done so far is crucial to deciding what they do next.

“I have been encouraging business of all sizes to give us feedback on the economic measures – and that includes the self-employed and sole traders, who are a vital part of our economy and community. We are paying real attention and not lip service, to the comments coming into our helplines, to social media, and to the feedback from those contacting their States Members directly.

“It is clear that a gap in provision exists, albeit an unintended one and that is partly because no two businesses are the same, and no two sole traders’ circumstances are the same either. We are working to update measures before the end of this week."

Above: James Ahearne is one of many self employed people in Guernsey affected by the lockdown, who has until now been unable to access States financial support. 

The feedback the States have received from self employed people and sole traders has covered everything from construction workers, to pre-school owners, to tour guides, with almost every industry in the island bolstered by those who have previously decided to work for themselves. 

James Ahearne is one of many who gave feedback, sharing the above video on Facebook. It was viewed more than 5,000 times and shared by more than 400 people within hours of him posting it. 

"We pay into society, but again we've just been thrown under a bus. I urge you, the States of Guernsey, to listen to what I'm saying...to appeal this ridiculous decision. I pay a stamp, where are my rights? I deserve to get minimum wage if you've imposed a lockdown on my industry. I deserve that. Everyone else is getting it, so why are we not?"

Mr Ahearne is the owner of Number 1 Services Ltd which delivers and pumps concrete. His work has been brought to a standstill by corona virus.

Deputy Trott has said, they are listening. 

Pictured: Deputy Lyndon Trott is leading the States response on financial support measures. 

“We knew that we wouldn’t get everything right first off and that adjustments would be needed. Not only are the support initiatives new, they are also unprecedented in both their cost and urgency. But we are dealing with public funds and not confetti and we know that people want the support targeted as effectively as we can," said Deputy Trott. 

“I have directed officers to resolve that so that we can update the measures accordingly before the end of this week. The measures will continue to be monitored and revised on an ongoing basis. The feedback from the self-employed and sole traders is hugely important in enabling us to get this right.”

One additional measure being brought in to help people access the funds they are entitled to is a new 'virtual call centre'.

That is being set up now, to deal with the high volume of calls being received and should be running fro Friday morning. The States said further resources from other areas are also now being deployed to support the Business Support team to continue processing applications seven days per week as they keep coming in.