Published: November 26, 2025 at 2:22 pm
With resounding backing for businesses, the four-million-plus self-employed people may be feeling like there wasn’t much good news or support.
There was a clear message that those working in the gig economy need to ensure they are submitting accurate information and paying tax owed as a significant HMRC compliance package will clamp down on bad behaviour to reduce the tax gap.
No rise to fuel duty will be good news to many who work for themselves and rely on vehicles – unless they use electric cars which will see higher motoring costs. But the basic and higher rate thresholds for income tax freeze for three years will bring more self-employed people into the income tax net.
Extending this freeze to the end of the Parliament could generate substantial additional revenue through fiscal drag as incomes continue to rise – but leave individuals worse off and with higher tax liabilities.