I am so called self imployed working for yodel We have just been told on no account can we have time off for any reason week of valentines Mother's Day and from 1november until second week of January .I average £220 per two weeks I cover a rural route and cover on average 23 miles a day. I am payed 70 pence a parcel .something needs to be done to sort out the self employed con.

we have no rights, companies use self employment to get round paying sick pay, pensions, and holiday pay, we are tied to their contract

I am 53 years of age and have been made redundant 3 times from working as a legal secretary. Just completed my HND in fashion and trying to set up my own label. As there is not a lot of money coming in I did an SIA course - security work. Having to work 0 contract hours there is only work 1 day a week as it is seasonal. Having to wait 2 weeks each time to get paid. Have registered at several agencies to do secretarial work but it is to no avail due to my age. It is a very challenging time working as a security guard - I did Westfield shopping centre and Westfield when there was a football match with over 20,000 fans and standing in the cold for 10 hours controlling fans in rain and 0 degrees temperature result is my obtaining flu and regular chest infections which means I am unable to work. Getting Universal Credit will give me a top up if I don't get enough work after I call them on the 28th of every month. During that time I have no money to support myself after 25 hours of working experience as a Legal Secretary. Not sure what this country has come to but I suggest I reverse roles with an MP for a few months and then they may restructure the system or think carefully before they implement plans on pieces of paper before putting it into plan.

I am self-employed and work for a variety of organisations and businesses in what could be described as "gig" work. From organising promotional events for a large local business, to working behind the counter of a small local food shop, running a youth club, to cleaning - each day and week is different - I can choose when I work, and what I do. It allows me to be flexible around voluntary work, I am also standing as a candidate in local elections. If I want to treat myself to a weekend away, I can work more hours one week to pay for it, and then have a few days off. I very much benefit from the arrangements I have with the businesses and organisations I work for and they also benefit, not only from being able to call on me as and when they need me, but also from the range of experience I gain from my "portfolio".

I had a zero hours job through university and it honestly helped keep me sane. I suffered eith depression through my second and third year, I often didn't get out of bed or dressed for days at a time, but having a flexible job gave me a chance to get out, see people, be with others, earn some money, and it suited my schedule. Bad mental health day? Don't have to go to work. Exams coming up at ni? Don't have to work. Need to go home and visit family? That's fine, off you go. Feeling down and want to take more hours to keep occupied? That's fine too, heres some more hours! Having a flexible contract was ideal for me and restrictions like a minimum number of hours per week just wouldn't have worked.

1.1 There is too much regulatory bureaucracy which is time consuming & restricts my business activity. 1.2 The tax system is over-burdening meaning I am unable to do my own tax affairs and must employ costly advice. [When I started, some 30 years ago, it was manageable] 2. No comment. I choose self-employment in order to be in control of my contract. Full employment contracts tend to be "non-negotiable" whereas I can negotiate mine. 3. Flexible hours are a MUTUAL benefit. Each side pays a price or earns a reward for the risk, in general. Circumstances: Self-employed technical and management consultant and managed three businesses in UK and overseas for last 35 years.