Representatives from across the political spectrum faced tough questions from a number of freelance and self-employed workers at a unique pre-election hustings event.
Members of the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (ISPE) heard from a panel featuring members of Scotland’s four main political parties on issues including the need for broadband connectivity and calls to halt changes to taxation for the self-employed at a special event organised in partnership with The Herald.
READ MORE: Freelancers put politicians under microscope on taxation and connectivity
The Big Freelance Debate, chaired by Herald columnist Catriona Stewart, included SNP minister for trade, investment and innovation Ivan McKee facing off against Labour’s Paul Sweeney, Conservative shadow cabinet member for jobs and fair work Dean Lockhart and Liberal Democrat candidate for Glasgow South Carole Ford on issues affecting freelance and self-employed workers.
The event also featured an exclusive overview on the UK political landscape from respected pundit Sir John Curtice.
Simon McVicker, Director of Policy at IPSE, said: “The Big Freelance Election Debate, Glasgow, organised in partnership with The Herald and chaired by their excellent columnist Catriona Stewart was a big success. As well as highlighting the importance of the Scottish self-employed in this election, it gave the main parties the chance to make their pitch to this growing and crucial group.”
“The debate also allowed freelancers themselves to have their say and raise the issues that matter most to them – from broadband to retrospective taxes like the Loan Charge, which the Liberal Democrats again confirmed they would scrap.”
He added: “We were delighted to see all parties praising and committing to many points from IPSE’s manifesto, including reviewing IR35 and clamping down on the scourge of late payment. It now seems that at least three of the four main parties are committed to reviewing IR35 and not rolling the new rules out to the private sector in April.”
READ MORE: Agenda: All the parties need to care for the self-employed
“Although the Conservatives said they will review IR35, they have not yet clarified at a senior level that they will not roll the changes out in April.
“Overall, however, it is good to see that IPSE’s General Election campaign #5MillionVotes is having a real impact in Scotland and across the UK. We are making sure the voice of the self-employed is heard this election.”
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