AUTUMN 2018 #THINKSELFEMPLOYED Supporting the 4.8 million The Federation of Small Businesses launches its #thinkselfemployed campaign There have been huge changes to the world of work in the UK over the past decade. One of the biggest shifts has been the rise in the number of people who are classed as self-employed 4.8 million, representing 15 per cent of the workforce and contributing more than 270bn to the UK economy. It is a group thats here to stay. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has launched its #ThinkSelfEmployed campaign to give a voice to those workers who are going it alone. The benefits of striking out on your own Self-employment has played a valuable role in opening up the jobs market to those who otherwise might not be in work. Older people, younger people, women, service leavers and others are increasingly seeing the benefits of being their own boss. This has had huge benefits for many individuals and the wider economy, helping to drive record levels of employment and local economic growth, and reducing economic inactivity among those who struggle in traditional, full-time employment. There is clear evidence that the vast majority of self-employed people are happier than they would be as an employee, and that most start up in business out of choice, often in search of more flexibility and meaning at work. We will be raising awareness of the biggest issues that those in selfemployment face, to influence government thinking, to make things easier for the 4.8 million, and to encourage others to choose self-employment The pitfalls Despite the benefits of self-employment, those who choose to go it alone face a number of challenges. If the self-employed fall ill, they are dependent on their savings or lack of while sick. When they start a family, self-employed mothers receive a lower level of parental support. Fathers, and those adopting a child, receive no parental support. Their fluctuating incomes and desperate need to save for a rainy day means they often struggle to save for retirement. They also face significant diculties accessing mortgages and insurance products. Universal Credit (UC) and the benefits system were designed with employees in mind, so the self-employed often become round pegs in square holes. They enjoy fewer rights and face much higher risks than those in employment. Championing the cause As suggested by the FSBs full name the National Federation of Self-Employed and Small Businesses it is our role to promote the interests of those who start their own firms and those who are self-employed. We are the leading champion of the self-employed, who constitute nearly a quarter of our members. The government and opposition parties continue to speak in support of the selfemployed, and have made it easier for people to get into business but more needs to be done. Who are the self-employed? The self-employed are people who run a business on their own, whether as a limited company, a sole trader or through a partnership. Some of our members with employees may also consider themselves to be self-employed and that is great. For the purpose of our campaign, however, we will be focusing on those people who dont employ anyone. We ocially launched the campaign on 2 July, to coincide with the annual FSB parliamentary reception in Westminster. FSB chairman Mike Cherry announced it to a number of parliamentarians, stakeholders and FSB members, and the FSB self-employment agenda was released on the same day, detailing our policy asks. The launch proved highly successful, with the campaign trending all day on Twitter, peaking at No2 in the UK. The campaign will last until November, stopping in the run-up to the Autumn Budget. We will raise awareness of the biggest issues that those in selfemployment face, to influence government thinking, make things easier for the 4.8 million, and encourage others to choose self-employment. Credit: Karen Woolley, development manager, Federation of Small Businesses Images: iStock.com / yuoak Read the full FSB self-employment agenda. It is filled with the policy interventions needed to encourage the self-employed to climb higher. The agenda covers issues such as incentivising pension savings, greater access to parental benefits, reforms of UC, and improving access to financial products, such as mortgages. For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service