Challenge to support self-employment

Self-employment continues to rise with 15 per cent of the entire UK now working for themselves.

However, there are still concerns that Government must keep pace with the challenge to help the sector thrive and prosper. Seb Maley, from contractor tax and insurance advisor, Qdos Contractor, said: "That self-employment now makes up 15 per cent of the entire UK workforce is another sign that freelancing, contracting and self-employment is the new way of working.

"Each year, freelancers and contractors contribute over £109bn to the UK. They are the engine room of the economy, driving innovation and growth in businesses of all sizes. Another 133,000 self-employed people in the UK is positive news, particularly as uncertainty around Brexit continues.

"With incoming changes to IR35 and the taxation of public sector contractors, the challenge now is to make sure the UK's self-employed population can continue to thrive and grow.

"On 6th April the responsibility for working out the employment status of public sector contractors will fall on the public sector employer. It's therefore vital that public sector employers and agencies are prepared for these changes, and can continue to hire compliantly and make the absolute most of the UK's independent workforce."