Government to introduce social security coverage for gig workers
Self-employed drivers, delivery workers, and freelancers to gain access to benefits such as healthcare, paid leave, and retirement savings
The government has announced plans to introduce social security coverage for gig workers, a move that will provide them with access to benefits such as healthcare, paid leave, and retirement savings.
The new measures will be introduced through the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 2023, which is expected to come into force in April 2024.
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Self-employed workers who earn more than £12,570 a year will be required to pay National Insurance contributions, which will entitle them to the same benefits as employees.
This includes access to the NHS, statutory sick pay, maternity and paternity leave, and a state pension.
The government estimates that around 2 million gig workers will be eligible for the new benefits, which could boost their incomes by up to £2,000 a year.
Self-employed workers welcomed the announcement, saying it would provide them with much-needed security.
"This is a huge step forward for gig workers," said James Farrar, a self-employed delivery driver.
"We've been campaigning for this for years, and it's finally happening.
"It will make a big difference to our lives, knowing that we have access to the same benefits as employees."
The government's decision to introduce social security coverage for gig workers has been welcomed by unions and campaign groups.
"This is a victory for gig workers who have been fighting for years to be treated fairly," said Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress.
"It's a recognition that they are not second-class workers, and that they deserve the same rights and protections as everyone else."
However, some critics argue that the new measures do not go far enough.
They say that the threshold of £12,570 a year is too high, and that it will exclude many low-paid gig workers from the new benefits.
They also argue that the government should do more to address the issue of bogus self-employment, which is a widespread problem in the gig economy.
Despite these concerns, the government's decision to introduce social security coverage for gig workers is a significant step forward.
It will provide much-needed security to millions of self-employed workers, and it will help to level the playing field between gig workers and employees.
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