The importance of the self-employed to the economy has never been greater than it is today, says IPSE.

Commenting on Scotland’s recent ‘No thanks’ vote, The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (ISPE) have called on politicians to say ‘yes’ to self-employed.

Simon McVicker, Director of Policy and External Affairs at IPSE, said, “The political engagement and the subsequent huge turnout in the Scottish Independence Referendum was inspiring to all of us who watched. We hope now that Scotland gets its new settlement and is able to proceed as a truly innovative and entrepreneurial country.

“Representing those who choose to go it alone in business means we understand more than most why it is so important to people that they have control of their own destiny. We also understand the value of working with others and the importance strong ties with key partners are to prosperity and success.

“The manifesto we launched last week contains a host of measures designed to help Government unlock the staggering potential of Britain’s self-employed. These measures are just as applicable to the Government in Edinburgh as to the one in Westminster, we will embark in dialogue with both.

“Policy makers in Holyrood and Westminster should take this opportunity to build a better environment for the growing number of self-employed people working across the UK. Their importance to the economy has never been greater than it is today.”

At the beginning of the month, the IPSE released its manifesto: ‘Britain’s Secret Weapon. Unleashing Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed in the New Economy’.

Some of the points made in the manifesto are as follows:

•    Appoint a Minister for self-employment
•    Back the rise in women choosing self-employment
•    Protect self-employed people from the scourge of late payment
•    Support the thousands of young people who want to be their own boss
•    Give self-employed people affordable, flexible office space in which to flourish
•    A tax system for the innovation-driven economy.

Lisa Keeble is the Managing Director for Contractor Umbrella Ltd, one of the UK’s Most Respected Umbrella Companies and founder member of AllUmbrellaCompaniesAreEqual.
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