One of the starkest trends in recessionary Britain is the ever expanding army of the self-employed.
Among the staggering 4.4 million people who work for themselves are 166,000 taxi drivers, 140,000 carpenters and joiners and 123,000 farmers, as well as more prosperous lawyers and computer contractors. These workers have few perks: no paid holidays or sickness cover.
They make up one seventh of the workforce but, also, sadly, according to the Department for Work and Pensions 22 per cent of them have no pension. My own family experience bears this out. I am one of the youngest in a family of seven children: four siblings are self-employed, but only one has an adequate pension. Paying the mortgage and university fees for the children are always more pressing.
When you are young, retirement is unimaginable because no-one wants to think about the last taboos: old age and death.
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