Author: Stephanie Whalley

Yes – freelancers can claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), as long as you meet the eligibility criteria, including having paid enough National Insurance contributions. ESA provides financial support if a health condition or disability limits your ability to work, which is especially useful for the self-employed, since you won’t have an employer to pay you Statutory Sick Pay. Here’s what you need to know about eligibility, how much you could get, and how to apply. What is the new-style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)? Most people who claim ESA now get what is called ‘new style ESA’, which replaced…

A freelancer is someone who works for themselves and takes on work from multiple clients, rather than being employed by one business. It’s a way of working, not a legal structure – freelancers usually operate as a sole trader or limited company. There are over 2 million freelancers in the UK, contributing around £125 billion to the economy, and the role is often confused with being a contractor, though there are some key differences between the two. Here’s a closer look at what freelancing involves, how it differs from contracting, and what it means for how you get paid and…

If you’re feeling confused by the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) rules and regulations, don’t worry, you aren’t alone! CIS rules deal with how contractors working in the construction industry pay their sub-contractors, so it can have a big impact on your reporting responsibilities, and even on your take home pay.

Yes – technically anyone can become an influencer, and you don’t need qualifications, a big budget, or even a large following to get started. Influencing has grown from a niche concept into a legitimate and often lucrative career path, with UK content creators now earning an average of £137,000 a year according to research by Adobe. Whether you’re considering it as a full-time venture or a side income alongside other freelance work, this article covers what it takes and what to expect. Is being an influencer a ‘real’ job? Yes, absolutely. In fact, according to a recent study by…

Remote working is no longer a novelty, it’s a fact of everyday working life, especially for self-employed freelancers who often have more flexibility to move around.

Unfortunately, the answer to the question of whether freelancers get paid more than employees isn’t a simple yes or no. There are a whole host of different factors and variables that can come into play to sway the verdict one way or another.

There are currently more than 2 million freelancers in the UK, contributing approximately £125 billion to the economy. It goes to show just how significantly freelancing has grown in popularity over the years, appealing to people across sectors, specialisms, and levels of seniority. There are lots of reasons why someone might choose to go freelance, such as redundancy, a desire to gain professional independence and ‘be your own boss’, or simply to earn extra income to supplement an employment salary Perhaps you’ve got your own personal reasons for wanting to explore the world of freelancing. Either way, it’s essential to…

Yes – in most cases you can freelance on the side of a full-time or part-time job – lots of people do. But there are some things to check first – like your employment contract (as some can restrict you from working for anyone else, especially if they’re a competitor). As long as there’s nothing stopping you contractually, and you’ve got the time and energy to commit, freelancing alongside your job is a great way to earn extra income and explore a new skill. Here’s everything you need to check before you start, plus how to get your side hustle…

Whether freelancers need a separate bank account depends on how their business is set up. If you operate as a limited company, the answer is yes – it’s a legal requirement, since your company is a separate legal entity with its own finances. If you’re a sole trader, it’s not legally required, but most accountants strongly recommend it anyway. In this article, we explain why, and what the benefits are for both structures. Does a limited company need a separate bank account? If you operate your business as a limited company then yes, you will need a separate bank…

One of the best things about freelance life is the freedom it affords you. Even when you’re working on a long-term project, being your own boss means you can make decisions so that every day is different. Having this sort of diversity in your work can be an incredibly liberating feeling.