Header logo
Log in
Listing News Opinion Generic

IPSE responds to the Taylor Review

IPSE has responded to the Matthew Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices by stating that a new ‘dependent contractor’ status doesn’t negate the need for a statutory definition of self-employment.

About us simpler
IPSE Press Office
11 Jul 2017
1 minutes
Share

IPSE welcomes the report’s acknowledgement that self-employment is a really positive decision for most people who work in this way, and believes government should do everything in its power to support people’s decision to work flexibly.  

IPSE agrees that the self-employed should be clearly differentiated from the other employment statuses and calls for a statutory definition of self-employment. However, IPSE believes reforming the current worker status into a new ‘dependent contractor’ status should look beyond control and direction as indicators.

IPSE also agrees with the report’s concern that not enough self-employed people are saving for their retirement or insuring against illness, and solutions to encourage both must be investigated.

Chris Bryce, IPSE chief executive said:

“We welcome Matthew Taylor’s recommendations which protect the flexibility of self-employment, but any changes to employment status should bring clarity and not add to the confusion around how government treats the way people choose to work. Mr Taylor’s recommendation to align tax and employment status would be a clearly positive step, as this is an issue that currently causes a great deal of confusion.

“When people talk about the gig economy, there is often the mistaken assumption that the services operating in it are all the same. Each relationship has to be judged on its own particular merits, and it would have been a huge error to simply place everyone in the gig economy within the revised worker status. This is why it’s essential to enshrine what it means to be self-employed in law.

“Renaming workers ‘dependent contractors’ might bring some benefits, but government will have to be absolutely clear who falls into this group. It will still be up to the courts to rule on employment status. We also have a serious concern that it is far too reductive to only look at direction and control as indicators of worker – or ‘dependent contractor’ – status. In reality, things are a lot more complicated than that. You should still also consider the ability to choose when and where you work, whether the role is project based and whether you have the right to send a substitute.”

Latest self-employed news and opinions

How to build a strong financial foundation when youre self employed 2
How to build a strong financial foundation when you're self-employed
+2 more

Without the structure and benefits of traditional employment, it’s essential for self-employed professionals to take early action to secure their financial future...

02 Jun 2025
Author default profile picture
Chase de Vere
How many freelancers are in the UK 2
How many freelancers are in the UK?
+1 more

IPSE's Joshua Toovey uses the latest data to outline how many freelancers are currently operating in the UK.

27 May 2025
Josh Toovey Headshot
Josh Toovey
Why clients pay late and what you can actually do about it 2
Why freelancers don’t get paid and what you can actually do about it
+3 more

IPSE's Fred Hicks runs though the most common reasons freelance invoices get paid late, and what you can do to help yourself get paid promptly.

15 May 2025
Fred H
Fred Hicks
IPSE-LOGO-HEADER

Join our newsletter

Registered in England and Wales, no 03770926. 4th Floor, 95 Gresham Street, City of London, London EC2V 7AB