Government plans to strip benefit from self-employed

Benefits changes could be about to hit the self-employed in the pocket - as Tynwald prepares to discuss changing eligibility rules.

Those currently claiming Employed Person's Allowance could be about to lose their entitlement.

Treasury Minister Alex Allinson says benefits staff often can't verify the income or hours worked by the self-employed, with around 40 per cent reporting they earn less than minimum wage.

If approved at the court's next sitting in July, the changes would come into force from September 1 and be phased in over the next year.

The move could save up to £500,000 a year.