Self-employed sector sees significant growth

For the first time since the pandemic, self-employed numbers have grown year-on-year for the fourth consecutive month.

Figures from the ONS show that there are now 4.3 million self-employed workers in the UK – 64,000 more than this time last year.

Responding to the findings, Andy Chamberlain, Director of Policy at IPSE, said, “Today’s figures mark a return to year-on-year self-employment growth for a fourth consecutive quarter. This is good news for businesses looking to flexibly recruit talent at a time when economic conditions might make a permanent hire less feasible.

“While self-employment is growing again, so too is unemployment. Government would be remiss not to harness the potential our growing self-employed sector offers to get more people working and earning again, particularly if regular employment is failing to meet their needs.”

Andy added, “The self-employed population remains 700,000 below pre-pandemic levels, which shows the scale of opportunity for government to get people back into work.

“We know that people choose self-employment for overwhelmingly positive reasons, whether it’s to follow a passion or strike a better work-life balance; that more and more people are choosing to work in this way is something to applaud.

“But it also highlights the need to urgently tackle the biggest threats to self-employed businesses, such as a punitive tax system, late paying clients, and the soaring cost of living.”

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