The business department has published its formal response* to ‘Good Work’, Matthew Taylor’s review of modern working practices.
The review proposed ‘A new offer to the self-employed’ with very wide-ranging recommendations covering decision-making, insecurity in the gig economy, pensions, tax and more.
In accepting a recommendation “to continue to develop support for people embarking on a self-employed career” the government says “We want people to be self-employed when it is the right thing for them.”
The paper lists existing services for those considering self-employment involving the National Careers Service, Jobcentre Plus and support for Universal Credit claimants. The government also agrees that in developing a national careers strategy it should pay attention to low-paid and atypical work.
At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead we think there is a gap in existing support for an important group of potential and early-stage self-employed people – those with ‘hands-on’ business skills.
The government’s fresh commitment to developing support is welcome but there is no detail on how services will actually change.
* Good Work: A response to the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices, HM Government, February 2018