STORY
The Government has launched a consultation on proposals to tackle bogus self employment, which ministers say could help around 900,000 people access employment rights. Announced on 14 October, the plans target businesses that classify staff as self employed despite working arrangements that could entitle them to protections such as the National Minimum Wage and holiday pay.
The proposals aim to clarify employment status for businesses and workers, with parcel couriers, delivery drivers, hairdressers and gig economy workers among those potentially affected. Separate measures would introduce protections for genuinely self employed people, including a right to a written statement about individual contracts and wider safeguards against blacklisting.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the proposals would protect basic rights and prevent compliant businesses being undercut. The consultation closes on 8 January 2027, with employers, workers, trade unions and representative organisations invited to respond. It concerns employment rights and does not propose changes to tax status or tax frameworks.