ONS data reveals huge decline in self-employed sector

The total number of self-employed event professionals is unknown, but it is thought to make up a significant percentage
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The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) has said labour market statistics released 15 December show a “year of relentless decline” for the self-employed sector. It has also said that the continuing decline shows the urgent need for the government to consider the recent Directors Income Support Scheme proposal.

IPSE commented after ONS data revealed the total number of self-employed has decreased by 183,000 since last quarter to 4.5m. This reflects a total fall of 460,000 self-employed individuals across all UK industrial sectors since the same time last year. 

The total number of self-employed event professionals is unknown, but it is thought to make up a significant percentage.

Andy Chamberlain, director of policy at IPSE, said self-employed people have been “financially devastated” by the pandemic and, in many cases, simply not received the support they need from Government. 

“After growing continuously for over ten years, in 2020 the self-employed sector has slumped as hundreds of thousands have been pushed out, with many ending up in the benefits system,” he said.

“The continuing decline of the sector shows the urgent need for the Government to look again at support for excluded groups such as the newly self-employed and sole directors of limited companies. 

Chamberlain added that IPSE and other organisations have proposed solutions to support these groups and called on the Government to urgently look again at these to rescue the many excluded freelancers who are living off savings and loans.

“We believe Government should particularly look at the Directors Income Support Scheme that has recently been proposed – to get support to this vital and so far forgotten group,” Chamberlain added. 

Image: supplied

 

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