Boris Johnson has won the tentative support of contractor and freelancer organisations, but experts have urged the new PM to improve the economy and support the self-employed.

The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) called on the Brexit-supporting leader to keep the economy flexible and competitive in the run up to Britain’s exit from the EU.

In a statement, they called on Mr Johnson to reform the tax system and scrap damaging changes to IR35, reduce the retrospective nature of the loan charge and help stamp out late payments among other policies.

Chris Bryce, IPSE’s CEO, said: “Small and micro businesses in particular have been hit by poorly thought through policies like IR35 and the Loan Charge, which are a massive drag on the flexible and innovative economy that the UK needs to be.

“If he wants to energise the country and make the UK truly globally competitive, he and his new team must get behind our most can-do and productive people: the £275bn self-employed sector.”

IPSE’s call to action on the loan charge was echoed by the Loan Charge Action Group, which urged the new PM to follow through on a campaign pledge to launch an independent review of the controversial charge.

A spokesperson for the group said: “His commitment, made at the leadership hustings in Carlisle, has given thousands of families some hope that this dangerous and immoral policy may now be properly reviewed, before more lives are ruined.”

Miles Grady, Director of Umbrella.co.uk said: “A change in the country’s leadership may be just what contractors need to reverse some of the policies that will damage the country’s flexible sector.

“Between Tory infighting and upcoming Brexit negotiations, Boris Johnson may think he has too much on his plate to worry about contractors, but removing the obstacles that are holding back Britain’s smallest businesses could be the boost that the nation needs.”

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