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| Self-employed 'now earning less than in 1995' | Self-employed 'now earning less than in 1995' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Average wages for self-employed workers are lower than in 1994-95, researchers say. | Average wages for self-employed workers are lower than in 1994-95, researchers say. |
| The Resolution Foundation said that while the UK's self-employed workforce had grown by 45% since 2001-02, their weekly earnings had fallen by £60. | The Resolution Foundation said that while the UK's self-employed workforce had grown by 45% since 2001-02, their weekly earnings had fallen by £60. |
| It blamed the rise of lower paid jobs and the financial crisis, which had reduced pay rates. | It blamed the rise of lower paid jobs and the financial crisis, which had reduced pay rates. |
| The report comes as a ruling on a closely watched case on pay for self-employed drivers for Uber is expected. | The report comes as a ruling on a closely watched case on pay for self-employed drivers for Uber is expected. |
| Adam Corlett, economic analyst at the Resolution Foundation, said that almost five million UK workers were self-employed - about one in seven workers and a record high. | Adam Corlett, economic analyst at the Resolution Foundation, said that almost five million UK workers were self-employed - about one in seven workers and a record high. |
| They included construction workers, hairdressers, taxi drivers, tutors and IT consultants, he said. | They included construction workers, hairdressers, taxi drivers, tutors and IT consultants, he said. |
| "But while the self-employed workforce is getting bigger, typical earnings are actually lower than they were 20 years ago," Mr Corlett said. | "But while the self-employed workforce is getting bigger, typical earnings are actually lower than they were 20 years ago," Mr Corlett said. |
| According to the research, average self-employed wages were £240 a week in the 2014-15 financial year - the most recent period for which data is available - down from about £300 a week in 1994-95. | According to the research, average self-employed wages were £240 a week in the 2014-15 financial year - the most recent period for which data is available - down from about £300 a week in 1994-95. |
| The Resolution Foundation - a think tank that aims to improve pay for families - partly blamed the changing nature of the self-employed workforce. | The Resolution Foundation - a think tank that aims to improve pay for families - partly blamed the changing nature of the self-employed workforce. |
| The foundation said that many more people had taken up lower-paid jobs in the so-called "gig economy", essentially self-employed workers taking on a variety of different roles, while the proportion of self-employed business owners with their own staff had fallen. The number of hours worked by the self-employed had also declined. | |
| It said this had limited wage growth before the financial crash, but that pay had been "squeezed" in real terms after 2006-7, falling £100 a week by 2013-14. | It said this had limited wage growth before the financial crash, but that pay had been "squeezed" in real terms after 2006-7, falling £100 a week by 2013-14. |
| "While returns may have increased slightly in 2014-15, many workers are still feeling the painful effects of the financial crisis," Mr Corlett said. | "While returns may have increased slightly in 2014-15, many workers are still feeling the painful effects of the financial crisis," Mr Corlett said. |
| "With so many self-employed workers earning so little, it is right the government investigate how public policy should catch up to meet the needs of these workers." | "With so many self-employed workers earning so little, it is right the government investigate how public policy should catch up to meet the needs of these workers." |
| TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Britain's new generation of self-employed workers are not all the budding entrepreneurs ministers like to talk about. | TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Britain's new generation of self-employed workers are not all the budding entrepreneurs ministers like to talk about. |
| "While some choose self-employment, many are forced into it because there is no alternative work. Self-employment today too often means low pay and fewer rights at work." | "While some choose self-employment, many are forced into it because there is no alternative work. Self-employment today too often means low pay and fewer rights at work." |
| A Department for Business spokesperson said the government was "committed to building an economy that works for everyone". | A Department for Business spokesperson said the government was "committed to building an economy that works for everyone". |
| "While the National Living Wage has given one million workers a pay rise, the Prime Minister has made clear the labour market must support and protect all workers," they said. | "While the National Living Wage has given one million workers a pay rise, the Prime Minister has made clear the labour market must support and protect all workers," they said. |
| "That is why she has asked Matthew Taylor to lead a review of how changing employment practices affect job security, workplace rights and opportunities for progression." | "That is why she has asked Matthew Taylor to lead a review of how changing employment practices affect job security, workplace rights and opportunities for progression." |
| Uber ruling | Uber ruling |
| Some companies have recently been accused of taking advantage of self-employed staff. | Some companies have recently been accused of taking advantage of self-employed staff. |
| Taxi app firm Uber is awaiting the outcome of a employment tribunal after two of its drivers claimed it was acting unlawfully by not paying holiday or sick pay. | Taxi app firm Uber is awaiting the outcome of a employment tribunal after two of its drivers claimed it was acting unlawfully by not paying holiday or sick pay. |
| With the US company employing more than 40,000 drivers in the UK, the result could have a significant impact on its costs. | With the US company employing more than 40,000 drivers in the UK, the result could have a significant impact on its costs. |
| Meanwhile, takeaway delivery firm Deliveroo faced protests in August after saying it would pay its self-employed drivers per delivery, rather than on an hourly basis. | Meanwhile, takeaway delivery firm Deliveroo faced protests in August after saying it would pay its self-employed drivers per delivery, rather than on an hourly basis. |
| The firm, which was also criticised by the Department for Business, soon backtracked and made the scheme optional. | The firm, which was also criticised by the Department for Business, soon backtracked and made the scheme optional. |