What "self-employed" actually means
Self-employment means running a business — client management, invoicing, insurance, tax. It is not simply a payment mechanism inside somebody else's rota.
IR35 and Close Protection Officer shifts
HMRC's IR35 tests focus on control, substitution and mutuality of obligation. Most Close Protection Officer shifts fail all three, meaning HMRC treats them as employment.
Legitimate freelance routes in Bolton
Close protection, event contracting, security consultancy and specialist advisory work are the legitimate self-employed lanes in Bolton. Static guarding shifts rarely qualify.
Rates, invoicing and insurance
Set a day rate that covers holiday, pension, sickness and downtime — typically 1.5–2x the equivalent PAYE rate. Public liability insurance is non-negotiable.
Tax, pensions and long-term planning
Register with HMRC, set aside 25–30% for tax, contribute to a SIPP for pension, and reconcile monthly. Accountants pay for themselves within a year for most freelancers.