§ 36. Mr. EvennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the number of self-employed people in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. CopeThere were 2.9 million self-employed people in the United Kingdom in June 1987. This represents an increase of 1 million on the number of self-employed in June 1979, with an increase of 234,000 between 1986 and 1987 alone.
Approximately one in nine of the employed labour force is now self-employed. This increase is indicative of the success of the measures we have introduced to encourage and support self-employment.
§ 57. Dr. Michael ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what recent representations he has received about the effect of Government policies on the self-employed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CopeI receive many representations on this subject both from organisations and individuals. The rise in the number of self-employed from 1.9 million in June 1979 to 2.9 million in June 1987 is evidence that the measures we have introduced since 1979 have been effective in encouraging individuals to set up their own businesses and to contribute to the economic revival of the United Kingdom.