Self-employment numbers continue to rise
Latest ONS figures report the number of self-employed has risen by 120,000 in the three months leading up to February 2016, compared to the same period in 2015. IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed, is pleased to see a continued trend in the rise of self-employed in the UK, sustaining record breaking employment figures. There are now 4.64 million self-employed people in the UK.
Commenting on the rise in self-employment, Lorence Nye, IPSE economist, said:
“This month’s figures show another rise in the number of people working for themselves, with this part of our economy having a disproportionately positive effect on the total number of people in employment across the UK.
“The rise in self-employment has been consistent for a number of years and represents a structural shift in the labour market. It is vital that government clearly recognises the impact the self-employed are having on the economy and introduces measures that support people who work for themselves.
“We also know that the vast majority of self-employed people love what they do, and are very unlikely to seek regular employment. This suggests we will continue to see increases in the number of people working independently.”
