While giving evidence to Matthew Taylor’s review of modern employment practices on Thursday, IPSE called for a statutory definition of self-employment to end confusion about who is and isn’t self-employed.
There are currently definitions in law for what it means to be an employee and what it means to be classified as a worker, but none for genuine self-employment.
IPSE believes the Taylor review should also consider how to encourage pension uptake and savings for the self-employed as well as developing fairer maternity, paternity and childcare support. Government also has a role in incentivising training and skills development so people can progress in their careers, regardless of how they work.
Simon McVicker, IPSE Director of Policy, said: “To be an employee is defined in statute, as is being a worker. But, somehow, to be self-employed is the default for everything else. This is a rather negative position and it creates confusion as it lacks clarity.