Lots of small trader businesses that set themselves up as limited companies have contacted me because of their concern that they qualified neither for the profit-linked small biz compensation scheme (incorporated entities are excluded) but also could not go for the furlough...

scheme (of up to £2500 a month in a wages subsidy) because they have to remain as directors of their respective companies (and could not therefore be furloughed or rested). However the Treasury tells me they can remain as directors and still furlough themselves - so long as...

most of their income was from PAYE salary rather than dividends. I have no idea how many sole trader companies there are who configure themselves and operate like this. But a number of anxious owner/operators have been in touch with me, so perhaps this is reassuring for some