Urgent call for more support

Self-employed workers need more help from the Government to prevent an "exodus" from the sector in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, a new report has warned.

An inquiry into the future of self-employment – backed by trade unions and businesses - found a majority of workers were unsure about continuing to freelance, with calls for a stronger safety net.

If self-employed workers decide to give up on their businesses in favour of more secure working conditions, the impact on the recovery from the pandemic could be drastic, the inquiry said.

The Government was urged to take measures including ending exclusions from income support packages, extending health and safety rights at work, sick pay, and paid parental leave.