A COUPLE who run their own business are facing a battle after ‘falling through the gap’ of the Government’s financial support for self-employed workers.

Michelle Ewen, 41, and husband Christian, 37, are both former commercial features reporters who met while working together at the Warrington Guardian.

The pair, who live in Stockton Heath, have been running their PR consultancy agency, Write on Time Ltd, since 2017.

But as co-directors of a limited company, they are classed as employees of the business even though they are fully responsible for generating their own income.

Michelle said: “Therefore, we don’t qualify for any of the help outlined in the Chancellor’s support package for self-employed workers.

“There have been no announcements about help for other people in our situation beyond universal credit or the business interruption loan scheme, which is a temporary fix leading to longer-term debt.

“Most directors of limited companies earn their income through a combination of salary, PAYE, and dividends.

“If we were to go on furlough, we would be entitled to 80 per cent of our salary only, which would just about cover our rent and no other bills or living expenses.”

But despite the difficulties they are facing, losing their home thankfully does not look to be on the horizon.

Michelle said: “We have an excellent landlord, who has made it clear to us that he is willing to work with us during these unprecedented times, however, not everyone is in that position and other directors of limited companies who rent privately may be at risk of losing their homes.”

She also believes any limited company director who accepts furlough would be unable to work at all and, therefore, setting themselves up for months of ‘financial misery and uncertainty’.

“In most cases, you are better off trying to pivot and find new ways to earn money by offering services online or through home delivery, if either of those options are possible,” she said.

“To lose 85 per cent of your client base almost overnight through reasons beyond your control is frightening.

“As limited company directors who rent privately, my husband and I have fallen through just about every gap for Government support, however, we are determined to rise to the challenge.

“We are drawing upon everything we have learned about the business world to stay afloat and find new ways to make money.”

But Warrington South Conservative MP Andy Carter hailed the support packages put in place by the Government.

He added: “I have written to the Chancellor and asked him to look very carefully at how he can support self-employed small business owners and I will continue to raise it.

“People that receive a salary through dividends claim that benefit through their tax return and it’s very difficult for HMRC to work out who is an active director and who is simply a shareholder taking dividends. It is not an easy process.”

Having lost 85 per cent of their client base overnight, Michelle and Christian have risen to the challenge by releasing new online guidance for other businesses who are looking to reinvent themselves during the crisis.

“In these unprecedented times, pivoting our business in a new, exciting direction is helping us to stay afloat and offer an essential service to our clients,” said Michelle.