In a new report ‘Self-Employment: Stimulating Economic Growth’ the lobbying group prompts the government to focus more on promoting self-employment.

Currently, many self-employed people have to prove their tax status and have regular checks. The FSB believes the system is overly complex and taxes self-employed people as though they are employees without giving them equivalent legal benefits.

The FSB is calling on HMRC to respect a declaration of self-employment as just that, with HMRC being obliged to check within a six-month timeframe whether the entrepreneur meets the criteria. Once their self-employed status has been accepted the applicant must be considered as self-employed until they inform HMRC otherwise.

John Walker, national chairman of the FSB says, ‘The government has so far concentrated on creating employment opportunities, but they also need to help nurture an environment of entrepreneurialism. The Chancellor’s Budget provides the perfect opportunity for the government to put a spotlight on self-employment and help break down the barriers to entrepreneurship.’