Since 2008 there has been a 35 per cent increase in the number of self-employed people and they are now 15 per cent of the workforce. On current trends, there will be well over 5 million freelancers by the end of the next Parliament. The UK’s solo self-employed also contribute £305bn to the economy – underlining their vital importance to the economy.

IPSE's manifesto, 5 Million Votes: how to win the support of the self-employed, makes forty recommendations across four areas – Brexit, finances, business environment and rights and support – so that the next government can keep up with the rapidly changing workforce.