Championing the self-employed is in our DNA. To quote our full title – the ‘National Federation of Self- Employed and Small Businesses’ – we exist to promote and protect the interests of all those who set up their own businesses and are self-employed. Since we were established in 1974, we have worked hard to ensure society recognises, values and adequately rewards the endeavours of those who are self-employed. While the average FSB member who employs people has seven sta , nearly a quarter go it alone. We therefore remain the leading champion of the self-employed and smaller rms.

This report shows that more people are taking the brave decision to become their own boss than ever before. It also shows that the value of self-employment is now more widely recognised by policymakers than ever before. With 5.4 million businesses operating in the UK today, of whom four million are going it alone, it is clear that the self-employed represent the engine room of the economy – the hidden heroes that generate growth and wealth throughout the country. The Government and opposition parties have rightly pledged to support this enterprising spirit and make it easier for more people to set up the businesses of the future but there is a lot more that can be done.

Our report contains a series of recommendations to Government on how best to support the self- employed. It also recognises that self-employment isn’t easy and often comes with many challenges. We shed light on some of the personal challenges facing the individuals behind many of these businesses, including the lack of secure income and the di culties of saving for retirement, obtaining a mortgage and taking time o to have a family.

We hope the ideas contained in this report will prove useful for those seeking to develop solutions to these problems – ideas which FSB is committed to taking forward, to support the millions in the UK today who ‘go it alone’ and help them to ‘move on up’.