Businesses respond to government's 'gig economy' review

By Lancashire Business View

12 Jul 2017

Commentators including Blackburn based employment law specialists Taylors have welcomed a government review which calls for greater legal clarity on the status of workers employed in the ‘gig’ economy.

Peter Byrne, partner in employment law at Taylors said the recommendations outlined in the government’s Taylor review would help both workers and employers, giving them a clearer definition of their rights and responsibilities.

Speaking of the impact on large organisations such as taxi firm Uber and food delivery service Deliveroo, Mr Byrne said: “Many of these large companies who pay workers by assignment argue that they provide full flexibility for these individuals, but employing people ‘per gig’ can often be to their advantage as they make significant savings on the legal benefits employees are entitled to, such as annual leave entitlement and statutory sick pay.”

He also welcomed the report’s recommendation that a new legal category of worker, known as a ‘dependent contractor’ be created, saying it would provide greater security and stability to gig economy workers.

“Although zero hours contracts will continue to have a place and provide the flexibility some workers seek, the proposed dependent contractor status would offer people who want secure work a platform to ensure they receive appropriate rights and protections.”

However, he cautioned that although changes to employment law were inevitable, it could take a long time before the effects of any new legislation were felt: “The implementation of the Taylor report’s recommendations will have significant consequences for workers and employers which could take some time to become clear,” he said.

“In the meantime it’s key for those on both sides of the fence to monitor very closely how this new status of worker is established.”

Mike Cherry, national chairman of the FSB, added: “We welcome having a set of proposals on the table which attempt to strike a balance between a fairness and a flexible labour market. The new ‘dependent contractor’ status, if done right, should bring protections to those unfairly treated in the gig economy, whilst also protecting the genuinely self–employed.

“It’s positive that the Review promotes self-employment as a careers choice. It’s right skills, productivity, savings and the cost of employment are highlighted as key issues for the Government to address. Collective action and collaboration can play an important role in this.

“However, the tax system must continue to recognise the risk and insecurity faced daily by the genuinely self-employed – this is right in principle. Ministers must make no attempt to single out them out for tax hikes.

“Government and Parliament must now protect the genuinely self-employed from being dragged into a new category of dependent contractors. Legislation must not be so broadly drafted as to give Ministers the power to widen the net on a whim without robust Parliamentary oversight, in a way that hurts the genuinely self-employed.”  

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin