'Alarming and avoidable' drop in self-employment

by Susie Hughes at 10:50 15/09/20 (News on Business)

Latest Government statistics showing a 154,000 drop in the number of self-employed, following on from figures which revealed that the number of self-employed had fallen by a record 238,000 in the three months to August.

Advertisement With numbers continuing to fall this month, self-employed group, IPSE, has warned the drop is likely because of gaps in self-employed support during coronavirus. It has called on the Government to prepare a 'fair, flexible and focused' extension of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) for the second wave. Derek Cribb from IPSE said: “The labour market statistics this month reveal an alarming and avoidable drop in self-employment. “In a recession, we would usually expect self-employment to be flourishing as companies seek out flexible expertise. Instead, we are now seeing a drastic and continuing decline in the sector. This is almost certainly because of the glaring gaps in Government support: next to nothing was done for limited company directors and the newly self-employed and now we are seeing the consequences. “The self-employed are vital for economic recovery, but huge swathes of the sector have been undermined and left behind. As a second wave of coronavirus approaches, Government must do more. We urge the Government to prepare a fair, flexible and focused extension of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme – for the sake not only of the self-employed themselves, but also the economy.” Tweet -- If you wish to comment on this article, please log in and use the Reply button below. Registering is free and easy - see 'Join Shout99'. - Susie Hughes © Shout99 2020

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