Johnny Timpson: Why the 'gig' workforce needs a financial safety net

The protection gig

clock • 4 min read

Self-employment and self-reliance go hand in hand, writes Johnny Timpson, which makes it essential the UK's growing number of 'gig workers' and their advisers review their financial resilience and protection needs

The ‘gig economy' may well be a buzz term these days but there is a reason why. Used to describe the rapidly increasing prevalence of short-term contract or freelance work in the UK employment market, there are now (according to the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) around 1.1m gig workers in Britain - nearly as many as in the NHS. This trend is set to continue, but what does it mean for advisers? The gig economy is diverse and so, while widely perceived as being mainly Uber drivers or parcel couriers, a significant proportion of this sector has been...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Protection

Record protection payouts must spur advisers on

Record protection payouts must spur advisers on

These aren't products that sell themselves

Ahmed Bawa
clock 01 November 2024 • 5 min read
Could a broader advice definition boost protection's reach?

Could a broader advice definition boost protection's reach?

'No one wakes up in the morning thinking about buying life insurance'

Paul Yates
clock 22 October 2024 • 4 min read
Are we talking enough about protection and succession planning?

Are we talking enough about protection and succession planning?

Why are more IHT liabilities for gifts not being protected?

Naomi Greatorex
clock 30 September 2024 • 4 min read