Satisfaction with overall current financial situation

The pandemic has had a profound and devastating impact on many freelancers’ finances – with three out of five (60%) freelancers reporting a decrease in turnover as a result.

In fact, almost half (47%) of those who had suffered a decrease in turnover, experienced decreases of over 40 per cent.[2]

Although freelancers are still contending with the impact of the pandemic and gaps in government support, IPSE’s quarterly Confidence Index reveals that freelancers are starting to recover from some of the impact of the pandemic, with reports of more work and increased earnings compared to at the height of the pandemic.

Despite this, many are now having to contend with the impact of the reforms to IR35 in the private sector that came into force in April 2021. In our quarterly Confidence Index for Q2 2021, many freelancers reported that they are slashing their day rates to compete for fewer contracts after the changes to IR35 (average day rates falling from £445 in Q1 2021 to £397 in Q2 2021). Similarly, average quarterly earnings also fell by £2,126 compared to the previous quarter (Q1 2021).[3]

Our current research reveals that now in October 2021, 42 per cent of freelancers report that they are either somewhat or very satisfied with their current financial situation.

Despite this, 41 per cent report that they were either somewhat or very dissatisfied with their current financial situation and a further 17 per cent are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.

Interestingly, female freelancers were more likely to report that they were either somewhat or very dissatisfied with their current financial situation compared to male freelancers (51% compared to 36%).

Similarly, sole traders were also more likely to report that they were either somewhat or very dissatisfied than limited company directors (52% compared to 37%).

Despite high levels of concern, over half (58%) of the sample agreed that they understood the range of pension products available to them. However, a further one in five (20%) disagreed, indicating that they were not clear about the pension products available to them.

Female freelancers (29%) were more likely to report that they disagreed compared to male freelancers (17%) whilst sole traders (29%) were also more likely to report that they disagreed compared to limited company directors (20%). There were also differences seen with age, with younger freelancers under 40 (30%) more likely to say they did not understand the pensions products available to them compared to those over 40 (19%).

This indicates that with high levels of concern around saving for later life, there is room for more advice and support, especially for groups such as younger and female freelancers who are more likely to report that they don’t understand the range of products available to them.

Methods of saving for later life 

There are a range of different methods available for saving for later life, ranging from the more traditional private or personal pensions and schemes such as Lifetime Individual Savings Accounts (LISAs).

The current research reveals that over two-thirds (68%) of the sample reported that they currently have a private or personal pension and almost half (46%) were saving into an Individual Savings Account (ISA).

Other popular ways of saving for later life included investing in stocks and shares (30%) and investing in property (25%).

Investing in a company or business (16%), saving into funds (13%), or being automatically enrolled into a pension as part of their current role (8%) were also ways that people were currently saving.

Similar to previous findings6, male freelancers (71%) were more likely than female freelancers (60%) to have a private or personal pension whilst limited company directors (75%) were also more likely than sole traders (50%) to be paying into a private or personal pension.

The self-employed have had to contend with the pandemic, Brexit and recent reforms to IR35 in the private sector impacting on their availability of work, current finances and in turn their ability to save and financially plan ahead. In order to quantify the severity of these events on freelancers’ finances and to adopt tailored support proposals, we asked self-employed individuals which factors are having the greatest impact on their upcoming financial decisions.

The UK leaving the European Union has resulted in increased border checks and some delays for freelancers that continue to trade or work with Europe, causing freelancers’ confidence in their own businesses and the economy to fall in the immediate aftermath of the UK’s withdrawal[¹²].

Similarly, restrictions on travel for those working for themselves across Europe has coupled with the impact of the pandemic and IR35 reforms to bring about labour shortages – most recently highlighted in the HGV driver market[13].

Similar to 2020, a total of 65 per cent of the sample now report that the UK leaving the European Union had made them either somewhat or very concerned about their upcoming financial decisions.

Overall, it is clear that the self-employed and their plans for obtaining a mortgage and other future financial decisions have been profoundly impacted by the impact of the pandemic and introduction of IR35 reforms, with their ability to save or plan ahead squeezed.

Previous IPSE and CMME research into mortgages from 2020 revealed that 60 per cent of self-employed individuals felt that they were expected to jump through more hoops in order to obtain a mortgage compared to their employee counterparts.14 The research also illustrated that over half (52%) of freelancers thought that mortgage advisors at banks and building societies do not understand their financial situation and that mortgage providers do not want the self-employed as customers.

Furthermore, over half (59%) of freelancers previously reported that they felt penalised for being self-employed when applying for a mortgage and one in four (25%) previously stated that they had struggled to obtain one.

In the latter part of this report, we build on this previous research conducted in 2020 to establish how self-employed people feel, one year on, about one of the biggest financial decisions in a person’s life – purchasing a property.

Interestingly, despite being the top reason for difficulty, significantly fewer people reported that they were required to provide more paperwork because of their self-employed status, compared to our previous findings in 2020 where 96 per cent of the sample reported this.

In addition, others reported that lenders weren’t willing to lend them the amount they needed (23%) and that rates were higher than they wanted (21%).

Interestingly, this year only eight per cent stated that difficulties around obtaining a mortgage were due to a lack of low deposit mortgages on offer which represents a significant decrease of 71 per cent compared to 2020 (28%). The fall is likely linked to the significant reduction in availability of higher loan-to-value mortgages that was seen in 2020 due to the pandemic, with a number of these products now returning.[15] The announcement of the 95 per cent mortgage scheme in April 2021, which allows first-time or current homeowners to purchase a property with just a five per cent mortgage may also be a factor.[16]

To encourage buyers to purchase properties throughout the pandemic, the government introduced a temporary increase to the threshold above which buyers are required to pay stamp duty. This meant that, between 8 July 2020 and 30 June 2021, buyers completing a purchase on properties costing less than £500,000 didn’t have to pay stamp duty. The threshold reduced to £250,000 between 1 July 2021 and 30 September 2021 and returned to £125,000 on 1 October 2021.

Of those who currently had a mortgage, 16 per cent had purchased their property in the last year and of these, over two thirds (68%) had been able to make use of the stamp duty holiday when purchasing their property, with the remaining 32 per cent stating that they did not.

For those who were current homeowners, we were interested in understanding whether there was an appetite to remortgage their property in the near future and the reasons behind such plans.

As in 2020, almost half (45%) of the sample reported that they intended to remortgage their property, with 16 per cent intending to do so in the next year.

When exploring some of the reasons why people were planning to remortgage, over half reported that they intended to do so to find a better rate (52%) or due to their current deal shortly expiring (51%).

One in five (21%) also stated that they planned to remortgage to borrow more for home improvements.

Interestingly, women were significantly more likely to state this as a reason to remortgage compared to men (31% of women and 17% of men).

A further one in ten (13%) wished to remortgage to relieve financial anxiety and 12 per cent revealed that they planned to remortgage because their property had increased in value and they wanted to release equity.

Seven per cent also reported that they intended to borrow more to pay off debts. This is particularly concerning given that we already know from previous research that 27 per cent of freelancers had used up all or most of their savings as a result of the pandemic[17].

Those who were planning to remortgage, were asked whether they would use a broker or go directly to a lender to source their mortgage.

The split was equal, with 37 per cent planning to use a broker and 38 per cent planning to go directly to the lender. The remaining 20 per cent were unsure of whether they would go directly to the lender or go through a broker. This is similar to the findings in 2020 and revealed no significant differences.

The key reasons for planning to use a broker were also in line with the reasons stated in 2020. Notably, respondents felt that brokers could help them get the best rate (87%) and that it would be easier (54%) and quicker (37%) to go through a broker.

A further 30 per cent believed that brokers would be able to help them borrow more, 15 per cent weren’t confident doing their own research and 13 per cent highlighted they were going to use a broker because of a recent change in financial situation – likely because of the pandemic or IR35 reforms in the private sector.

Interestingly, one in five (20%) selected ‘other’ to explain why they were planning to use a broker to remortgage their property, with responses focusing on previous positive experiences. Trust in a particular broker was an important factor for some and others reported previous experiences of brokers being able to find the best available deals.

For those who were planning to go directly to the lender, the majority (47%) reported that this was because they wanted to stay with their current lender for ease and 38 per cent indicated that they were confident doing the research themselves.

Over a third (36%) reported that they didn’t think that they would get a better deal elsewhere and a quarter (25%) believed that going directly to the lender would be quicker than using a broker.

In addition, 22 per cent reported that a key reason for going directly to the lender was because brokers were too expensive.

A further one in five (20%) indicated that they intended to go directly to the lender as not all lenders work with brokers whereas 18 per cent stated that they didn’t trust brokers to get the best deal.

Although almost half of current homeowners had plans to remortgage, a further 51 per cent reported that they did not plan to remortgage and three per cent were unsure about their plans.

The main reasons that people were not planning to remortgage their home were similar to those identified in 2020, with the top reason being that they were happy with their current mortgage rate (43%). Just under a third (29%) also cited not wanting to take on additional lending as a reason that they were not planning to remortgage.

Other reasons included being locked in a fixed-term mortgage (23%), coming to the end of their current mortgage (22%) and believing that remortgaging would be too much of hassle (11%).

Purchasing a property in the next five years

A total of 12 per cent of the sample reported that they were planning to purchase a property in the next five years.

In line with the findings in 2020, the most selected reason for wanting to purchase a property in the next five years was to invest in their future (70%).

Other responses focused on wanting to improve their quality of life or mental wellbeing (54%), the fact that owning a property can be cheaper than renting (51%) and wanting more security (50%).

Half of the sample (50%) also indicated that they wanted somewhere that they could really call home.

Additionally, 38 per cent wanted to be able to decorate and renovate their home, 38 per cent reported that they wanted more space for their family and 32 per cent wanted more space for working from home.

14 per cent hoped to take advantage of government incentives such as the Help-to-Buy scheme whereas 13 per cent reported that they felt under pressure from parents, society or peers.

Attitudes towards getting a mortgage

Respondents who were planning to purchase a property in the near future were asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed with a number of statements related to obtaining a mortgage.

The results revealed that two thirds (68%) of the sample were worried that sourcing a mortgage would be difficult because of their self-employed status and 64 per cent were concerned that they wouldn’t have enough job security in order to be considered for a mortgage.

Worryingly, half (50%) of the sample didn’t think that they would be treated fairly by lenders with only 19 per cent believing that they would be.

Just under half (48%) of the current sample worried that they may not be able to afford a mortgage and a further third (33%) were concerned that their credit rating would not be good enough to get a mortgage.

Respondents were also asked whether they were worried about being penalised for making use of the SEISS grant or furlough scheme. In total, two fifths (40%) of those who it applied to were worried that they would be penalised for making use of these government schemes when applying for a mortgage.

Concerningly, the data revealed that 32 per cent of those who planned to get a mortgage in the next five years did not understand the steps needed to get a mortgage. This highlights that there is room for further support to help the self-employed to get on the property ladder.

In terms of the key areas where self-employed people would like more support, almost two thirds (63%) wanted help understanding what they needed to consider when sourcing a mortgage as a self-employed person.

A further 61 per cent wanted greater support with how to find the cheapest mortgage deals for the self-employed and 59 per cent wanted help with understanding the different types of mortgages available.

In addition, over half (55%) wanted additional support with how to get their finances in order before applying for a mortgage, 49 per cent wanted support with understanding what documents they needed to apply for a mortgage and 48 per cent wanted to see further support about what to take into account when considering a mortgage deal.

A total of 48 per cent of the sample also wanted more support understanding which government schemes could benefit them and a further 44 per cent reported that they needed more help understanding the overall process of purchasing a property.

Whilst the 2021 UK housing market is on course to record the highest level of sales (1.5 million) since 2007, factors such as reduced supply of housing and the introduction of the stamp duty holiday have increased house prices by 13.2 per cent in the year to June 202118 – leaving many potential homeowners priced out.

As such, it was important to understand the impact that increased house prices and market activity have had on self-employed individuals – particularly those planning to purchase a property in the near a future.

Almost half (45%) stated that they were either somewhat or very concerned by the state of the UK housing market, representing a significant increase from 2020 (35%).

This figure rose significantly to 77 per cent for those who were planning to buy a property in the next five years. Again, this was significantly higher when compared to our 2020 findings (63%).

Reasons for not getting a mortgage

In line with the research conducted in 2020, a total of nine per cent of the sample stated that they were not currently homeowners and were not planning to buy in the next five years.

The top reason for not wanting to purchase a property was financial, with over half (54%) of the sample reporting that they believed the deposits required for a mortgage were too high. Almost half (46%) also believed that it was too difficult to get a mortgage as a self-employed person.

Just under a third (30%) reported that they thought their credit rating was too poor and 28 per cent indicated that they didn’t think that they were eligible for a mortgage.

Over a quarter (26%) didn’t want to commit to purchasing a property or that didn’t think they could afford anything in the area where they lived.

Concerningly, 26 per cent of the current sample also stated that they had used up all their savings as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which is unsurprising given that previous research revealed that more than a quarter (27%) of freelancers had used up all their savings during the pandemic[19].

The coronavirus pandemic was a further limiting factor for another 22 per cent who indicated that they were not planning to get a mortgage due to the levels of financial uncertainty caused by the pandemic.

On the other hand, almost a quarter (24%) reported that they weren’t planning to get a mortgage due to being happy with their current situation.

This report highlights that within the self-employed sector, there are high levels of concern around saving for later life and securing a mortgage – concerns that have been exacerbated by the pandemic and reforms to IR35 legislation, and their impacts on self-employed incomes as well as the current financial climate.

With the majority of freelancers feeling concerned about their plans for later life, and half believing they will not be treated fairly by lenders in their mortgage applications, broadening access to key financial products among the self-employed remains a significant challenge.

Whilst specialist providers with tailored advice and products do provide some possibilities for the self-employed, these options remain too far and few between with greater awareness of tailored products clearly needed.

To alleviate the barriers preventing more self-employed people from engaging with these products, targeted measures that take the self-employed into account must be implemented; to that effect, we have developed a series of recommendations for both government and industry.

Recommendations

Mortgages:

1. Government and the mortgage industry should work together to explore tailored products and ways of making it easier for the self-employed to successfully apply for mortgages.

2. Mortgage lenders should ensure that their advisers are fully trained to understand the self-employment sector and their financial situations.

3. Modernise the tax and employment system to make it easier for lenders to assess freelancers' financial situations and de-risk them as customers. Currently freelancers could be operating in a number of different ways – either as sole traders, through their own limited company or via an umbrella company or agency – and all these freelancers are renumerated in different ways.

4. Government should ensure that self-employed people who have taken mortgage payment holidays, accessed the SEISS grant or made use of the furlough scheme are able to access other loans in the future without being penalised.

Saving for later life:

1. Provide tailored and clear guidance on saving for the self-employed: One in five (20%) self-employed stated that they didn't understand the range of pension products available to them. Going forward, the Money and Pensions Service should offer tailored and clear advice for the self-employed.

2. Publicise the mid-life MOT: Almost three quarters (71%) of freelancers are concerned about saving for later life, a mid-life MOT would enable mid-career self-employed people to identify gaps in their savings and address where action is needed before it becomes too late. Government should continue to publicise the mid-life MOT and ensure that guidance is tailored to the self-employed, not just employees and employers.

3. Roll out the sidecar pension for the self-employed: Support rolling out the sidecar pension scheme to the self-employed, allowing them to save for later life and also into a seperate 'rainy day' fund for emergencies.

4. For government to commission a 2022 review of the state of self-employed savings, to fully understand the barriers and challenges facing this cohort in the post-pandemic economy. Pension utilisation amongst the self-employed was already far below that of employees before the pandemic began – it is now at critically low levels and shows no sign of abating in the face of inflationary pressures on the cost of living.

5. Government should embed planning for later life into its guidelines throughout the self-employed journey. Government should consider how it can give more visibility to the importance of setting up a personal pension as early as possible in a self-employed career by revamping its guidance for those considering self-employment.

IR35

1. Government should urgently review the impact of the off-payroll working (IR35) reforms in both the private and public sector. The review must be chaired by an independent body and must consider the financial impact of the reforms on individuals and businesses.