UK self-employed population grows by 30,000

On the dawn of National Freelancers’ Day, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed the number of self-employed professionals in the UK has risen by 30,000 following a seven-month decline.

The figure for Q3 2015 is significantly higher year-on-year with 2014 and comes at a time buoyant time overall for the UK labour market.

The total number of 16-to-64-year-olds employed in the UK rose by 0.3 per cent to 73.7 per cent. Unemployment rates throughout the UK dropped to 5.3 per cent - its lowest figure since April 2008.

Simon McVicker, policy director, The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed (IPSE), said: “The figures show the resilience of the self-employed sector in what is becoming an increasingly difficult regulatory environment.

“Make no mistake, independent professionals are a huge contributor to the flexibility and growth of our economy, they are here to stay.

“We will be celebrating the vital work of one part of the self-employed community with National Freelancers’ Day [on] Thursday 12 November.

“It is an opportunity to showcase the value this part of the labour market brings to the UK economy.”

The IPSE is showcasing the fact almost five million young and experienced men and women are working for themselves, becoming more important to the national economy than ever before.

The seventh annual National Freelancers’ Day will be hosted by the IPSE at the exclusive Hospital Club in London’s Covent Garden.

For the second year running the event will also feature the IPSE’s very own Freelancer Awards to champion a number of stand-out individuals.

A separate award is being introduced this year for the under-23s category, designed to further encourage young entrepreneurs to strike out on their own.




Image: Jude Lee

Date published 12 Nov 2015 | Last updated 12 Nov 2015