By Daniel Hunter
The Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise, Matthew Hancock MP, has today (Monday) endorsed National Freelancers Day - calling the contribution of this way of working to the UK economy ‘huge’.
National Freelancers Day, organised by PCG, takes place on Thursday the 21st November and will highlight the growing contribution made to our economy by freelancers — estimated to top £95billion in 2013 alone.
Matthew Hancock, Minister for Skills and Enterprise, said: “Freelancers make a huge contribution to the UK economy. Hardworking people who decide to make their own path deserve our respect and support. More and more people are making this choice and National Freelancers Day is a great chance to celebrate their achievements.”
National Freelancers Day will see Karren Brady joined by a high-profile panel of experts for a ‘Question Time’ style debate at LSO St Luke’s in Central London. On the panel alongside Karren Brady is Isabel Oakeshott, Political Editor of the Sunday Times, LBC’s Nick Ferrari and BBC Business expert Liz Barclay along with John Glen MP. Freelancer and broadcaster, Sue Lawley, will chair the debate.
Following recent research showing freelancing is the fastest growing sector of the European labour market, some of the topics for discussion will be the impact of this new way of working on the economy and businesses, as well as how decision-makers should respond to the change.
Simon McVicker, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at PCG, said: “It’s excellent that such a high-profile Minister is showing his support for National Freelancers Day. The Minister is right to acknowledge that more and more Brits are choosing to go it alone.
“There are now 1.72 million freelancers operating in the UK alone. For National Freelancers Day to be endorsed in this way is hugely important as it shows the Government understands this new way of working and recognises the need for freelancers to be considered in policy-making.”
Join us on
Follow @freshbusiness
