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The review will be carried out by entrepreneur Julie Deane OBE, founder of The Cambridge Satchel Company, who started her £10 million business making bags and satchels from her kitchen table seven years ago.
The UK labour market is one of the most diverse in the world with self-employment accounting for over a quarter of the growth in employment since 2010. According to ONS figures, one in seven people in employment choose to work for themselves, making a total of 4.5 million people.
The review will highlight the contribution they make to the UK economy and consider how they can be better supported, for example women building businesses alongside childcare commitments.
Julie Deane’s review will:
- explore why people opt to be self-employed as well as the different types of work that they carry out, including freelancing professionals, sole traders and those who are employed but also work for themselves;
- look into the challenges and issues faced by people who are self-employed, especially when setting up or developing their business;
- recommend how the UK can create a more flexible and supportive environment;
- look at what can be done to provide more security and peace of mind, for example, when juggling self-employment and having a family, buying a home or saving for retirement.
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Julie Deane said: "The business landscape has changed so much in the last 10 years and in such a way that self-employment is now a viable option for so many more people. I have first-hand experience of the immense opportunities starting your own business can bring, but also understand the challenges that can face those starting out on their own.
"Having grown my business to employ more than 130 people and selling to over 120 countries, I have a clear of idea of the way in which Government can better support the self-employed. I hope this review will help others in the future to turn their ideas into successful businesses."
Welcome
The review was welcomed by freelancers and self-employed group, IPSE.
Chris Bryce, IPSE Chief Executive, said: “From engineers to IT contractors, builders to graphic designers, people who work for themselves are playing a crucial role in getting the economy back on track. IPSE welcomes this review which demonstrates the Government’s commitment to help the self-employed meet the challenges we have been highlighting.
“Some of the biggest obstacles facing this group relate to saving for retirement, getting mortgage applications accepted and affording time off following the birth of a child. Supporting the self-employed is vital for the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit and the wider wellbeing of UK PLC.”
The review is expected to be published in early 2016.
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Susie Hughes © Shout99 2015
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