
IPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed) has welcomed new grants for businesses affected by local lockdowns, but warned the support will do little for many self-employed.

IPSE has urged the government to match this support – which is based on the value of companies’ business premises – with targeted support for self-employed affected by local lockdowns.
Andy Chamberlain, Director of Policy at IPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed), said: “We welcome the fact the government is supporting businesses affected by local lockdowns. However, although this will help some self-employed people with business premises, it will leave many more out in the cold.
“Government must ensure that the self-employed do not fall through the gaps in a patchwork of local lockdowns. We urge the government to match this scheme with targeted support for self-employed people across the country whose businesses are affected by local lockdowns.
“Already, one and a half million self-employed have missed out on the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. Many of these businesses are hanging by a thread: finding themselves shut into local lockdowns without any support could be the final straw for them.”
This article debunks common myths about Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and explains what the April 2026 changes will actually mean for sole traders.

Are Generation Z really behind a side hustle boom, or is it all hype? After digging into the latest data, IPSE's Fred Hicks has the answer.

Meet the newest additions to IPSE’s board of directors, who play a vital role in setting strategy for the organisation.
