Forced to go self employed

[kikimon]

My partners boss is thinking of making him go self employed. Can he just do this? He has worked for this company for over 10 years so should he be made redundant first so he can get redunancy payment? The business he is in was hit by the recession but things are looking up. It is not easy though to find his own jobs if his boss is not providing him with enough work while being self employed. What rights has he got?

[kikimon]

Thank you for your help