NEARLY 30,000 self-employed people in Glasgow remain in limbo as they await lifeline support during the coronavirus lockdown.

Figures released by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Scotland show there are thousands of employed people in every Scottish local authority area that could require income support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Glasgow has around 29,800 self-employed people, according to the report, meanwhile Edinburgh has around 28,400.

Across Scotland as a whole there are more than 320,000 self-employed people. 

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Over 220 cases in Glasgow as Scotland hits 719 with 22 deaths

Ahead of an expected announcement by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson tomorrow, the small business campaign group has reiterated their call for extra help for those who work for themselves.

Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scotland policy chair, said: “Up and down Scotland the self-employed make a vital contribution to their local communities and economies.

"And this current crisis has hit everyone from the city centre taxi driver to the rural tour guide.  

“That’s why we’ve been spearheading calls for the Chancellor to put in place new help for people like the local piano teacher, the independent journalist and the driving instructor.

"By any measure, the self-employed deserve similar help to the rest of the working population. 

“To give credit to the UK Government Ministers, they’ve stated that they’re considering the best way to help those that have set up on their own.

"What’s important – like so much of this governmental intervention – is that it reaches the intended recipients quickly.”

READ MORE: Coronavirus LIVE: Scottish death toll rises to 22 as country placed in lockdown

The Chancellor will set out measures to support self-employed workers hit by the coronavirus outbreak on Thursday, Downing Street has confirmed.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told journalists during an afternoon conference call: “We are expecting to be able to set out the details tomorrow.”

Full details of the announcement will be revealed by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who will be taking questions from the media.

The Number 10 spokesman re-iterated the Chancellor’s words from Tuesday when he said the scheme would be “fair to the British workforce”.