Am I entitled to redundancy pay?

You are entitled to statutory redundancy pay if you have worked for your employer for at least 2 continuous years. The amount depends on your age, length of service and weekly pay, capped at £751 per week.

What is unfair dismissal?

Unfair dismissal occurs when your employer dismisses you without a fair reason or without following a fair procedure. You need 2 years of service to claim, reducing to 6 months from January 2027.

When is statutory sick pay paid?

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is now paid from Day 1 of illness following the Employment Rights Act 2025. The current rate is £123.25 per week for up to 28 weeks.

⚖ Important — Please Read Before Continuing

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1. This is guidance — and only ever guidance

Everything produced by ukworkrights.co.uk is general guidance. It is not legal advice. It is not a substitute for advice from a qualified solicitor. Never treat it as the final word — use it as a starting point, then check and take responsibility for any action you take.

2. AI can make mistakes

The guidance is generated by artificial intelligence. AI can and does make mistakes — wrong dates, wrong figures, wrong legal references, missed nuances. Read everything carefully. If the matter is serious, get it checked by ACAS, Citizens Advice, or a qualified solicitor before acting on it.

3. Verified figures and guidance sources

Statutory figures (such as rates for minimum wage, SSP, redundancy, pension contributions, council tax bands, flight compensation amounts, and benefit rates) are verified against GOV.UK, ACAS, Citizens Advice, and relevant regulatory bodies. Laws and rates change regularly. Always verify important figures at gov.uk before making decisions or taking action.

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The situation you describe is used to generate your guidance and is then discarded. It is never stored or shared. Any informal language, slang, or strong emotion in your description will not appear in the output.

5. Your responsibility

By using this service you accept that you will treat all output as general guidance only, verify important information with official sources, and seek professional legal advice for serious or complex matters. ukworkrights.co.uk accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from your use of or reliance on this service.

6. Useful Official Resources

ACAS — Free employment advice: 0300 123 1100 — acas.org.uk
Citizens Advice — Free legal guidance: 0800 144 8848 — citizensadvice.org.uk
GOV.UK — Official UK government guidance: gov.uk
ICO — Data protection queries: 0303 123 1113 — ico.org.uk
Financial Ombudsman — Financial disputes: 0800 023 4567 — financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Energy Ombudsman — Energy disputes: ombudsman-services.org/energy
NHS — Healthcare guidance: nhs.uk
Veterans UK: 0808 1914 218
Benefits helpline: 0800 169 0310

For personal injury claims, immigration advice, criminal matters, or complex legal situations — always consult a regulated solicitor. Find one at solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk or gov.uk/find-a-solicitor.

7. Scope of this service

This service covers a wide range of UK rights topics including employment, housing, benefits, consumer rights, driving, NHS complaints, data protection, tax, school rights, wills and probate, energy, travel, and more. For all topics, the guidance is general in nature. For regulated activities — including personal injury claims, immigration applications, criminal defence, and financial advice — you must use a regulated professional.

🧾 Self-Employment Guide

Self-Employment Rights & Obligations in the UK: 2026 Guide

Self-employed? You have more rights than you might think — and more tax obligations. This guide covers employment status, IR35, tax returns, National Insurance, and the trading allowance.

✅ Last verified: July 2026📚 Sources: GOV.UK, HMRC, Citizens Advice🇬🇧 Applies across the UK

⚖ Know Your Rights at a Glance

Self-employed vs worker: Calling someone "self-employed" doesn't make it so — courts look at the real working relationship.
Self Assessment: Required if self-employed income exceeds £1,000 in a tax year (the trading allowance).
National Insurance: Class 4 NIC applies on profits above the threshold.
IR35: If you work through a company but operate like an employee, off-payroll rules may apply.
Unpaid trial work: If you genuinely perform work, you may be entitled to NMW regardless of the label.
Holiday pay: Genuine self-employed people have no holiday pay rights — but workers do.

🆕 Platform workers — Uber ruling still current law

The Supreme Court ruling in Uber v Aslam (2021) means gig economy platform workers can be classified as workers if the platform controls pay, routes and performance. This entitles them to NMW and holiday pay. Check your status.

What does self-employed actually mean?

Employment law recognises three statuses: employee, worker, and self-employed. The label in a contract does not determine your status — courts look at the reality. Key worker indicators: the other party controls when and how you work; you can't send a substitute; you work mainly for one client; they provide equipment. If these apply, you may have NMW, holiday pay and whistleblowing protection.

Tax and HMRC obligations

If self-employed income exceeds £1,000/year, register for Self Assessment at gov.uk by 5 October following the tax year. Pay income tax on profits above your personal allowance, and Class 4 NIC on profits above the threshold. Keep records for up to 5 years after the filing deadline. VAT registration is compulsory at £90,000 taxable turnover.

IR35 and off-payroll working

If you work through a personal service company (your own limited company) but operate like an employee of the end client, IR35 may apply. For medium and large private-sector clients (since April 2021), the client determines your IR35 status. If deemed "inside IR35," tax and NI are deducted at source as if employed. Get specialist tax advice if this applies to you.

Protecting yourself

Self-employed people don't get SSP, holiday pay or unfair dismissal protection (unless actually workers). Key steps: written contracts for all engagements; public liability and professional indemnity insurance; detailed income and expense records; emergency savings fund; consider voluntary Class 3 NI to protect your State Pension.

Check your actual employment status

Use HMRC's CEST tool and compare against the reality of how you work. The label doesn't override the law.

Register with HMRC if earnings exceed £1,000

Keep detailed records from day one

All invoices, receipts and bank statements. HMRC can ask for 5 years' records.

Understand allowable expenses

Wholly and exclusively business expenses reduce taxable profit: tools, business travel, professional subscriptions, home-working proportion.

Get IR35 advice before accepting a contract

Being caught inside IR35 without planning creates significant unexpected tax liabilities.

Assert your rights if you're actually a worker

Contact ACAS or the Fair Work Agency. The law overrides the contract label.

🧾 Check Your Self-Employment Rights

Describe your working arrangement and get guidance on status, tax and rights.

Use the Free Checker →

Frequently asked questions

I work for one company but I'm labelled self-employed — is that right?

Not necessarily. If they control your work and you can't substitute yourself, you may legally be a worker with NMW and holiday rights — regardless of the contract label.

Do I need to register as self-employed?

If self-employed income exceeds £1,000/year, yes — register with HMRC for Self Assessment by 5 October.

Am I entitled to NMW as self-employed?

Only if you're actually a worker. If the reality of your relationship meets the worker test, NMW applies regardless of the label.

What is the trading allowance?

£1,000 of self-employed income per tax year that you don't need to declare. Earn more, and you must file a Self Assessment return.

What expenses can I deduct?

Allowable expenses that are wholly and exclusively for business: tools, equipment, business travel, professional subscriptions, proportion of home costs for home workers.

What if I don't register with HMRC?

Penalties for late registration and filing apply. HMRC can charge up to 30% of tax owed in some cases. Always better to self-report.

I did an unpaid trial shift — was that legal?

If you did real work (not just a skills demonstration), you may be entitled to NMW. Report to HMRC or the Fair Work Agency.

📞 Free help and support

HMRC Self Assessment: 0300 200 3310

Citizens Advice: 0800 144 8848

ACAS: 0300 123 1100

Fair Work Agency: gov.uk

⚠ Important disclaimer: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as at July 2026. General legal information only — not legal advice. Verify with ACAS, GOV.UK or Citizens Advice before acting. ukworkrights.co.uk — Not a law firm.