Ironically, Paint (in particular, masonry paint) has been in very short supply.
Painting is a very common DIY job, so loads of punters furloughed from office jobs etc, have been painting at home.
I had my entire bookings schedule wiped out over 2 days just before the lockdown was announced.
(phone & email, everything was cancelled or put on hold by customers)
With exception of a 2k deposit paid a week before had no income for nearly 3 months, but did receive 3k grant.
I wont be claiming the 2nd grant in August as since I've been back I've been busiest than Ive been for many years, so dont need it & I believe not entitled either.

Kids,tired of being bothered by your pesky parents?
Then leave home, get a job & pay your own bills, while you still know everything.

I take my hat off to your morals Bob, but take the money.

This country is now so full of ponces that put nothing in and take everything, that you might as well join the fu(kers. I would.

I've always been PAYE and have paid proper tax unlike you self employed and I'd rather you had it than some illegal immigrant who rocks up at Dover and is given a handout.

Perhaps if everyone like you takes it, then we'll have nothing left to send to India to fund their space programme. Win win.

I was also talking about builders who thought fvck it I’ll put my feet upon £2,500 a month like everyone else in the heatwave and didn’t do any undeclared work. Why not. There’s now plenty of work.

COYP

Some of my blokes were moaning that they couldn’t claim , I said to them they hadn’t missed a days work , the pubs are shut and they couldn’t eat out. Should be the most flush they’ve ever been.
I haven’t had anything off the government personally, although I have been able to furlough my wife (she loves a good furloughing!)

Did have a result though as halfway through doing my house and needed to borrow some money, was all agreed but the plug got pulled when lockdown kicked in. Got a bounce back loan (£50,000 which won’t finish the house , but has helped.
Got all my builders on the bounce back loan, that way they couldn’t plead poverty when I put a bill in

The system now, generally is so simple to take from its unreal. Aside from covid I mean. That's just a gift for all.
Back when I got repoed I had to go to the social 3 days running with affadavids bank statements, all proof I had nothing. Then got a £20 crisis loan for me the mrs and the chavvy. Forgot all about it and years later got a bill for £35 which included interest.
That may explain my bitterness and anger at fraudulent claims. I suppose some wont have any qualms but others may well have a few sleepless nights.

The system will tighten up big time by the end of the year. It is now getting harder to spend cash, people are being pushed to use cards, which spending can be tracked and audited by the tax man. The days of doing jobs for cash and avoiding vat and income tax are coming to an end.