ONS figures published today report the number of self-employed has fallen by 51,000 in the three months leading to July compared to the same period in 2014. IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed, has urged the Government to provide more support to the self-employed if it wants to continue growing a flexible and healthy economy.

Commenting on the figures, Chief Executive Chris Bryce said: “This is the sixth month in a row we’ve seen the number of self-employed people working in the UK fall. Recent Budget announcements are likely to hit this community further and we urge the Government to consider how it can help reverse this trend with additional ways to support the 4.5 million self-employed workers.”

“Proposed changes to travel and subsistence allowances, and additional tax liabilities for people who operate through limited companies mean that large numbers of self-employed will feel squeezed. To reach the goal of full employment we need a robust self-employed community and these measures will not help achieve this.”

“If the Government is serious in wanting to become Europe’s leading knowledge economy then it needs the country to have a competitive edge. Maintaining a vibrant and strong flexible workforce is the only way for this to happen.”