The UK Government has been urged to provide more support for sole traders, apprentices and self-employed contractors ahead of this year’s Autumn Budget
Speculation ahead of the Budget has included potential changes to employment costs, apprenticeship funding and tax rules affecting contractors and small businesses. With Chancellor John Healey MP also under pressure to support growth while balancing the public finances, it remains unclear whether smaller firms and the self-employed will receive any additional relief.
Mike Harris, Direct of Sales and Customer Services for trade insurance provider Kingsbridge, says the focus should be on “making it easier” for tradespeople, contractors and SMEs to “operate, invest and grow, rather than continually having to deal with increasing costs and uncertainty”.
“I’d like to see more support for sole traders and SMEs to help them operate and grow, whether that’s through reducing employment costs, offering tax incentives for investing in tools and equipment, or generally easing some of the financial pressures smaller businesses are facing,” he adds.
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“We also need greater support for apprenticeships and skills development. The trades, construction and engineering sectors continue to face significant skills shortages, and for smaller businesses, the cost of taking on and training apprentices can be a real challenge.
“More financial incentives and less red tape could encourage more businesses to invest in the next generation of skilled workers.”
Mike also calls for more “support and certainty” for the self-employed. “Self-employed tradespeople and contractors make up a huge part of the UK economy, but there’s still a lot of complexity around taxation, employment status and regulation,” he continues.
“I’d like to see the government simplify some of this, particularly around IR35 and employment status, giving people more confidence to operate independently without adding further costs and administration.”
His comments come after Trade Direct Insurance encouraged the UK Government to reduce cost pressures and implement targeted relief to help tradespeople capitalise on surging business demand ahead of the Autumn Budget.
