Issues facing self-employed business people were the topic of conversation at a round table discussion on Friday 31st August, with Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson.
The event organised by the Federation of Small Business and held at the Oaks Hotel in Reedley, was aimed to coincide with the launch of the national “Think Self-Employed” campaign.
The UK has seen huge changes to the world of work in the last decade, one of the biggest shifts has been the rise in the number of people of people who have decided to strike out on their own and move into self-employment. With the 4.8 million self-employed now representing 15% of the workforce and contributing over £270 billion to the UK economy.
At the event the Federation of Small Businesses Development Manager for Lancashire & Cumbria, Paul Foster, introduced Mr Stephenson to the attendees before the group spent 90mins discussing the various challenges they faced.
The Pendle MP, who for many years was a self-employed insurance broker running a small business in Manchester said “Despite the benefits of self-employment those that choose to ‘go it alone’ face a number of challenges. If the self-employed fall ill they are dependent on their own 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.”
Mr Stephenson continued “The self-employed enjoy fewer rights and, fundamentally, by setting up in business they face much higher risks than those in employment do. I want to ensure we recognise and celebrate self-employed people, ensuring both local council and government provide them with the support they need.”