Contractors gain another opportunity to celebrate their contracting careers as the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed (IPSE) hosts another National Freelancers Day.
“National Freelancers Day is all about celebrating and embracing those brave individuals who strike out on their own,” highlights IPSE chief executive Chris Bryce. “The future of working is well and truly here.
“Record numbers of people are opting for the flexibility that freelancing provides. Not only does freelancing enhance the quality of life of the vast majority of those who work in this way, it also boosts the bottom line of UK plc to the tune of more than £95bn every year.”
View the #NFD2014 debate via the live stream on IPSE Live
The highpoint of the contracting calendar has begun and those unable to make it to Tech City in London tonight can view the debate live via IPSE Live and find out who the winners are for the 15 for 15 competition.
Tweet IPSE your questions for the #NFD2014 debate
IPSE wants contractors and freelancers Tweet them questions using the #NFD2014 hashtag for the live debate in Tech City, London, this evening. Your question could be chosen for the debate, with Sue Lawley as host.
This year’s panel features radio presenter Nick Ferrari, Enterprise Nation’s Emma Jones, alongside politicians Nick Boles MP, Toby Perkins MP. The keynote speaker is journalist Declan Curry.
IPSE Live: National Freelancers Day Special
The IPSE Live NFD Special is now published on IPSE’s website and features the top news of the day – the appointment of the UK’s self-employed ambassador (see below) – and questions posed by contractors.
Two of the candidates for the Fifteen for 2015 competition to find Britain’s brightest and best self-employed people share their stories on how they because contractors.
Self-employment tsar appointed – David Morris MP
In a major boost to the contracting sector on National Freelancers Day, the government has announced that it has appointed David Morris MP as the UK’s first ever self-employed ambassador. As the new ‘freelancer tsar’, David Morris will be responsible for championing contracting’s cause in government.
“IPSE’s recent manifesto called for representation of the self-employed in government,” says IPSE director of policy and external affairs Simon McVicker. “We are delighted that Business Minister, Matthew Hancock, has acted on our suggestions so enthusiastically.”
National Freelancers Day puts contracting on the map
ContractorCalculator CEO Dave Chaplin believes that National Freelancers Day plays a hugely valuable role in securing attention for contracting: “Contractors, freelancers and the self-employed are starting to rival the public sector workforce as a constituency that the political establishment must court.
“National Freelancers Day puts contractors and contracting on the map, reminding us how the flexible workforce has played such as key role in helping the UK to emerge from recession.”
National Freelancers Day features events around the UK that include:
- A headline event in the heart of Tech City in London, which is a debate featuring Sue Lawley as host and a panel that includes Nick Ferrari, Emma Jones, Nick Boles MP, Toby Perkins MP and keynote speaker Declan Curry
- From 18:00, contractors in Manchester can watch a live feed of the London debate and pose questions to the panellists
- Contractors in Edinburgh will also be able to watch the London debate live and network over drinks and canapés.
According to IPSE, the “expert panel will discuss the implications of the rise of self-employment on policy making for the next government.
“They will also look at various issues that independent professionals face, including the problem of late payment and how we can support the growing number of women and young people going into freelancing.”
Bryce concludes: “Ahead of next year's General Election, this is a hugely exciting time politically and we are urging politicians from all parties to really think about how they intend to give independent professionals the support they deserve.”
Follow all the action from National Freelancers Day 2014 on Twitter.