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Julie Deane's independent review of self-employment in the UK.

This independent review by Julie Deane OBE looks at the challenges and opportunities for those who want to work for themselves.

• Importance / Significance - The number of self-employed in the UK currently stands at 4.6m, an all-time high. Furthermore this number is growing and the trend seems set to continue. This group now represents 15% of the UK workforce making a considerable and positive contribution to the country’s economy. Much of the growth seen over the last few years has been driven by this sector.
• Motivation - The majority of the self-employed have made a positive choice to be so and have no plans to return to employment. They have found a good balance with work/life commitments and are often happier.
• Diversity - The self-employed are not one homogenous group however the recommendations made as a result of this review aim to benefit all members of this group.
• Evolution - Technology has had a tremendous impact, particularly over the last ten years. The many factors within the self-employed landscape have changed, including age profile and, the methods and even the location of where they work.
• Equality and Fairness - choosing to be self-employed should not mean that people are disadvantaged in the support that they receive from Government. It is important that with the increased growth in self-employment, and the subsequent benefits that this group brings to the economy, that there are systems in place to support the self-employed in the same way as the employed. Government should consider extending support to the self-employed in areas where there is discrepancy between support for the self-employed and support for employees.

Download a copy of Julie Deane's Self-employment review