Far too little in budget that directly supports self-employed, says IPSE

The IPSE has warned that the recent budget announcement made by the Chancellor last week does little to reassure the UK’s self-employed sector.

Derek Cribb, CEO of the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE), explained, “After the severe and disproportionate financial impact of the pandemic on the self-employed sector, this Budget provided an opportunity for the Chancellor to show his support for those who work for themselves. While the commitments he made today on investment in infrastructure, innovation and skills, are welcome, there is far too little in the Budget that would directly support the self-employed.”

Cribb added, “We are grateful there were no new tax rises, but disappointed the Chancellor didn’t take the opportunity to further simplify and reduce working taxes. Instead, we had a promise that tax would come down by the end of the Parliament but no indication of exactly how.

“IPSE has also called for investment in training and skills but the announcement today, though welcome, does not go far enough. The funding should be made more flexible so the self-employed can choose which training is right for their businesses.

“Overall, this Budget does nothing to reassure the UK’s 4.3 million self-employed businesses, who are reeling from a series of setbacks, from gaps in support to disastrous IR35 reforms.”

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