IPSE: Rise in self-employment welcome, but government must take heed and give them the support they need
IPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employment) has welcomed data released today showing the number of UK self-employed people has risen to 4.85 million.
The data, from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed the number of self-employed people in the UK rose by 81,000 compared to the same time last year.
Andy Chamberlain, IPSE’s Deputy Director of Policy, comments: “The amazing resilience of the self-employment figures is testament to the determination of these individuals to strike out on their own and work for themselves.
“Even amid the uncertainty caused by Brexit, people are still taking the plunge and starting their own business. Overwhelmingly, our members tell us that the flexibility offered by self-employment, and the freedom of working without a boss, are the main reasons why they wouldn’t choose to go back to being employees.
“The government must listen to the what the self-employed are telling them. They have actively chosen this way of working and they do not want to return to traditional employment. Policies such as universal credit and IR35 risk forcing them out of business against their will.”
