Business owners have so far started 482 legal cases against the government over support during the coronavirus crisis, the Volkskrant reported on Monday.

The cases largely centre on businesses which have not been able to claim sufficient support in paying wages or have not qualified for the one-off payments to help pay fixed costs (TOGS), the paper said.

The government’s bill so far for helping companies get through the crisis is €61bn and last week ministers were again urged to expand the aid being provided to a wide range of professions, including hair dressers and driving school instructors.

In particular, the self employed have been hard hit by the rules attached to the Tozo income support payments. Partner income has been included in the calculations since June, and the number of claims has shrunk, the Volkskrant said.

Are you self employed or do you have a small firm that has been refused help and would you like to share your story for an article? Please email editor@dutchnews.nl.