The Labour Party Annual Conference 2025

SME4Labour and Community Union fringe: MAKING WORK PAY FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Following on from the joint Community, Bectu, and Fabian Society report into the self-employed join us for a panel event discussing how we Make Work Pay for the self-employed.

Speakers:

• Dominic Armstrong, Head of Policy & Communications – Community Union
• Phillipa Childs, Head of Bectu – Bectu sector of Prospect
• Luke Raikes, Deputy General Secretary and Research Director, Fabian Society

Chair: Geri Scott, assistant political editor, Times

The SME4Labour and Community Union fringe event explored how the UK can ensure that self-employed workers are fairly supported in an evolving labour market. Chaired by The Times’ Geri Scott, the session brought together leading voices from the trade union and policy sectors to discuss practical solutions for improving pay, protections, and security for the growing self-employed workforce.

Luke Raikes (Fabian Society) set the scene, highlighting that self-employed and freelance workers account for over 13% of the UK workforce. While many self-employed individuals enjoy flexibility, a significant proportion have little choice and earn less than their employed counterparts. Raikes stressed the urgency of extending protections such as sick pay, pensions, and parental leave to this group, proposing models inspired by Canada’s state-backed insurance schemes and other international examples.

Dominic Armstrong (Community Union) emphasised the union’s role in championing self-employed workers. He outlined practical reforms, including accessible sick pay and child care support, as well as pooled contribution systems like “bread funds” that provide financial security during periods of illness or work gaps. Armstrong highlighted that failing to provide these safeguards not only disadvantages workers but risks broader economic and public health costs.

Phillipa Childs (BECTU) shared insights from the creative industries, where freelancers and self-employed workers face fluctuating income and insecure work patterns. She noted the pandemic’s impact on members, the ongoing need for a freelance champion within government, and examples of industry-led initiatives such as “Action for Freelancers” to address gaps in support.

Throughout the discussion, a recurring theme was balancing flexibility with security. All panelists agreed that self-employment need not preclude access to statutory protections. Innovative approaches, including modest contribution schemes and reformed intermediate employment statuses, were presented as practical ways to safeguard workers without undermining the autonomy many value.

The event closed with a consensus that as the self-employed sector grows, targeted policy, fair protections, and collaborative solutions are essential to “make work pay” and ensure a resilient, inclusive workforce.