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Recent tax changes, including public sector IR35 reform, a cut to tax-free dividend allowance and an increase and subsequent reversal of national insurance contribution (NIC) has left UK freelancers and contractors concerned.
Research by contractor tax adviser, Qdos Contractor, highlighted:
- 97 per cent of freelancers do not think The Government has their best interests at heart;
- 3 per cent believe they do.
Voting
However, the majority of freelancers and contractors asked still plan to vote for the Conservatives in the General Election, while seven per cent more expect to vote Liberal Democrat than Labour.
- 42 per cent plan to vote Conservative;
- 14 per cent expect to vote Labour;
- 21 per cent will vote Liberal Democrat;
- 3 per cent UKIP;
- 3 per cent Green party;
- 16 per cent will vote for one of the UK’s other main Parties (including The SNP and Plaid Cymru), or, not at all.
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“But that nearly half of freelancers still plan to vote for the Conservative Party in the General Election, albeit feeling unsupported by them raises perhaps a bigger question; who really is the Party for UK’s independent workforce? Nobody seems to know.
“With around two million freelancers and contractors in the UK, the independent workforce’s vote is growing in both size and importance. Whichever Party is victorious in the General Election has a huge opportunity to win back the support and confidence of our thriving flexible workforce, which is vital to UK business and the economy.”
Freelancer and contractor survey responses included:
“Although the current Government is not brilliant for contractors, other parties could be worse for small business.”
“One that actively supports the self employed rather than destroying businesses built up over many years.”
“Conservatives had my vote last time but various tax changes aimed at the self-employed might deter me from doing so again.”
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Susie Hughes © Shout99 2017
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