Every government department should ensure that a chunk of its annual budget is reserved for freelance workers and the self-employed.
Setting aside 10 per cent of departmental procurement budgets for freelancers would show that ministers are committed, beyond just words, to ‘thinking small first.’
Such action is necessary because “too often” UK policy makers have failed to pay adequate attention to the needs of the country’s 1.4million freelancers.
In asking the government to demonstrate a “real commitment” to freelancers, the PCG also said freelancers without security clearance should not be discriminated against.
So on top of departments allocating 10 per cent of their budget to freelancers, such workers should be considered for ‘SC’ roles even if they are without valid clearance.
“Flexibility in the labour market is the key to ensuring Britain’s future economic
success,” said PCG managing director John Brazier.
“The next government should encourage freelancing as a flexible, innovative and entrepreneurial way of working that enables business to perform more cost-effectively, especially when recovering from recession.”
Although the group criticised the government’s record on supporting freelancers, the start of a new decade was said to provide officials with an opportunity for “fresh, innovative thinking.”
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“There needs to be a clear recognition of freelancing as a valid way of working,” Mr Brazier added. “We want to see a pro-business climate fostered in the UK, a real commitment from policy framers to think small first, not just say it.”
Editorial image courtesy of G4EGK
Jan 11, 2010
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