In reply to ClimberEd:
I am self-employed and have been for around 35 years, even when also employed full-time at various periods through my career.
I'm not in a particularly difficult situation though my work and earnings are on hold from the end of the month. At the moment, I am wrapping up a previous project from home, but it will close with this month's invoice. The bond idea seems positive and if it was on the table I would give it serious consideration. However, I would find it difficult to accept why I should be treated differently than someone earning a salary - I've contributed something similar to the economy / revenue for every year I have worked and for more than half of that time,directly created work and earnings for other people as well. It is particularly hard to understand when this government is often claiming pride in the rising number of self-employed, when some of it is simply the 'gig' economy at work.
It is easy to identify my earnings from my records. Quite why they can't simply cover me and others with the 80% rule is hard for me to grasp. I think anything other than that may well lead to action in the courts in future, as it certainly seems to be a deliberate unequal treatment for which I haven't seen a justification.
Lastly, as in many areas of life, some self-employed people work the system. However, I was a bit shocked by plenty of examples of similar 'working the system' from people in employment, so if this is an argument people want to make, then we should acknowledge that it can be a feature of salaried and waged employees as well. Personally, I find it really disappointing whenever I experience a lack of basic honesty in work, however it is manifest.
The idea should be commended though. I am glad someone is keeping our cause alive!