Associates and allowable expenses

If you use associates to help with client work - so you invoice the client and receive the payment, then the associate invoices you for the work they did for your client and you pay them - is this payment an allowable expense or not?

Hi,
Please see guidance:
Expenses if you're self-employed.
Thank you.
 

Thanks so much for answering - however I have read this and cannot see that it answers my question around associates as a sole trader.

Hi,
If you are a sole trader and employ someone to assist with your trade, then this is an allowable expense.  
It is the same if you use/employ associates. They are a cost incurred in carrying out your trade.
Thank you.