IPSE welcomes Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay and urges pandemic late payment clampdown

IPSE has welcomed the appointment of Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay, and urged a clampdown on pandemic late payment.

IPSE research has shown that over a third of freelancers (36%) have been affected by an increase in late payments during the pandemic. It also found one in six (17%) freelancers were left with no money to cover work-related expenses or basic living expenses (15%) as a result.

IPSE is looking forward to working with the new Small Business Commissioner to address these challenges for the self-employed sector. 

Derek Cribb, CEO of IPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed), said: “We wholeheartedly welcome the new Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay and look forward to working with her to clamp down on late payment.

“Late payment is a challenge for freelancers at the best of times, but during the pandemic it can be a crippling problem. In fact, our research shows that over a third of freelancers have seen an increase in late payment during the pandemic, adding dramatically to their financial woes – especially those who have missed out on government support.

“Liz has been a good friend to us and a great ally of the self-employed for many years, and we know she will work with us to tackle this challenge and ensure all self-employed people promptly receive the payment they deserve and need.”