Philip Hammond’s blitz against ‘disguised employment’ could be unveiled in next month’s budget

The chancellor is considering a £1bn raid on freelance workers in a new blitz against “disguised employment” in the private sector.

The mooted crackdown could force businesses to add tens of thousands of self-employed staff to their payroll, driving up their tax bills.

The move — which could be unveiled by Philip Hammond in next month’s budget — is aimed at levelling the playing field between salaried staff and freelancers, who enjoy significant tax advantages if they work as independent contractors.

But it would also hand a cash boost to Hammond, who is scrambling to fund public sector pay rises and to increase spending on the NHS and social care. The stagnant economy leaves little scope for giveaways. Earlier this month, the Office for Budget