South: Self employment is here to stay, says IPSE

According to IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed, the latest ONS Labour Market Statistics show self-employment is “here to stay” and argues the UK’s smallest businesses should be at the top of the political agenda.

The statistics released reveal yearly increases of both full-time and part-time self-employment. Between September to November 2013 and September to November 2014, the number of self-employed working full-time has increased by 54,000 and the number in part-time self-employment has increased by 68,000.

Commenting on the ONS figures, Chris Bryce, chief executive of IPSE, said: “The number of people choosing to become their own boss continues to rise at an incredible rate and proves this way of working is here to stay. Self-employment is no longer just for the few, it’s for the many and it’s particularly welcoming that the number of women choosing to go solo continues to increase and has reached a whopping 1,450,000.

“Today’s figures show that it’s more important than ever before to recognise and embrace the rise of people becoming their own boss. Ahead of the General Election in May, the UK’s smallest businesses should be at the top of the political agenda and we hope all of the major parties will commit to giving them the support they need. Not only will this help independent professionals up and down the country, but the UK’s economy will also reap the rewards.”