According to figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), there are now a further 88,000 people in self-employment, an increase of two per cent on the year. Once again, the number of women going it alone has dramatically increased. From October to December 2013 to the comparable period in 2014, an extra 77,000 women chose to become their own boss, a rise of nearly six per cent.
Chris Bryce, Chief Executive of freelancer and self-employed group, IPSE, said: “The steady march of the self-employed continues.
“It’s particularly pleasing to see the trend in women becoming their own boss, shown in last month’s Labour Market Stats, continue apace. The rise in the number of women heading into business for themselves over the last year is a whopping fourteen times higher than that of men.
“As we inch closer to the General Election, the parties must further strengthen their commitments to supporting the UK’s 4.5 million independent professionals. We welcome Conservative efforts towards ending late payment of small suppliers and providing free wifi on trains, while Labour’s plans are positive but could go much further to ensure they support this vital section of the UK’s economy”.
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Susie Hughes © Shout99 2015
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