HC Deb 13 March 1990 vol 169 cc207-8W
24. Mr. Kirkhope

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the increase in the numbers of self-employed people since 1979.

Mr. Eggar

In September 1989, the latest date for which information is available, there were 3,276,000 self-employed people in the United Kingdom. This represents an increase of 1,370,000, or 72 per cent., since June 1979. Self-employed people now represent 12.2 per cent. of the work force in employment.

79. Mr. Stevens

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the work force in employment is now self-employed.

Mr. Nicholls

In September 1989, the latest date for which information is available, self-employed people represented 12.2 per cent. of the work force in employment.