IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed, has stated that the latest Labour Market statistics from the ONS prove that the fundamental shift in the way Britain works is here to stay.

The ONS figures released today show that the number of people choosing to become self-employed has increased by 6.6 percent, outstripping the 1.9 percent growth in traditional employment. Responding to the figures, Chris Bryce, Chief Executive of IPSE, said: “Today's figures show that self-employment is growing at more than three times the rate of traditional employment. This is proof that the rise in self-employment is here to stay as Britain gets back to work.

“People from all walks of life are choosing to leave the 9-5 behind and take control of their own destiny. From young people straight from university to parents who want to balance work around family life, being your own boss has never been more popular. Decision-makers must now respond to this change. Microbusinesses are the engine of the UK's economy and they need decisive action in problem areas such as inappropriate and unnecessarily complicated tax laws like IR35, late payment, poor broadband and a lack of affordable office space to work from. Help Britain's smallest businesses flourish and UK plc will reap the rewards.”