Self-employment at highest level for 40 years, says ONS

Self-employment has reached its highest level in 40 years with 4.6m working for themselves, according to statistics from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
Thu, 21 Aug 2014Self-employment has reached its highest level in 40 years with 4.6m working for themselves, according to statistics from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
Its data showed there were 1.1m more workers in April-June 2014 compared with January-March 2008, of which 732,000 more were self-employed.

This rise has been driven by an increase in the number of white-collar workers becoming freelance, working in roles such as management consultancy, book keeping, photography and chartered accountancy.

Of the 4.6m people who are self employed, 167,000 work in construction and building roles, 166,000 are taxi drivers and chauffeurs, and 144,000 were carpenters and joiners.

Recruitment industry voices say little detail on workforce from the Chancellor

Recruitment industry observers have criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s failure to move the UK ahead in specific commitments to workforce issues.

Legislation 12 June 2025

STEM recruiter acquires construction training firm 3B Training

Morson Group has acquired Wigan-based 3B Training to expand its construction skills offering.

Contracts 12 June 2025

Government’s apprenticeship budget refocuses to ‘rebuild Britain’

The government has made radical changes to skills and training, including a refocus away from higher-level apprenticeship funding.

Legislation 27 May 2025

REC urges government to build on success of Restart Scheme

The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) is urging the government to build on the success of the Restart Scheme.

27 May 2025
Top