The Summer Budget revealed some unfortunate negative plans for the self-employed. These plans have not yet been finalised, so we are hoping the government review these proposed changes as the self-employed are essential to the UK economy.

IPSE’s CEO Chris Bryce commented; “The majority of jobs created in recent years came from the self-employed community, and if the government is to reach its ambition of an extra 2m people in the labour market by the end of the parliament, this group has a vital role to play.”

Bryce pointed out that the Summer Budget disclosed measures that have the potential to limit the growth of the self-employed and this is echoed by recently published ONS (Office for National Statistics) data that revealed a fall of 131,000 self-employed compared to a year ago. He urged the government to rethink their plans for the self-employed. Support is needed, and this support may emerge as a result of the independent review of the self-employed, which began on July 1st by Julie Deane OBE.

The review will report to the government the challenges and opportunities for the self-employed. It will consider how they can be better supported and recommend how Britain can produce a more flexible and supportive environment. The Prime Minister David Cameron is happy that Deane is carrying out this review, commenting that self-employment is “a key part of our long term economic plan”.

This looks to be a positive step for self-employment, and we are anticipating support to be given to the self-employed and the numbers of self-employed people to be rising once again.

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