A recent piece of research exploring the changes in the UK’s freelance workforce has been endorsed by official government figures, report the PCG. The group found that the number of freelancers in the UK grew by 12% from 2008 to 2011, which is in line with employment figures released recently by the Office for National Statistics.
The ONS figures showed that there was a rise in self employment alongside the fall in unemployment, with the number of self employed rising by 32,000 (0.8%) over the previous quarter, and by 4.2% since the same period in 2011. This, the PCG say, is proof that freelancing has become “a vital component of the UK’s economic recovery.”
PCG Managing director John Brazier said the report “proves that freelancing is now one of the cornerstones of the UK economy. This data is especially important now as it shows that in tough economic conditions, the ability to be flexible is critical – both for businesses and individuals looking for work.”
He continued, “Flexible workers such as contractors and freelancers now account for 6% of the UK’s workforce, making it a significant constituency within the UK workforce deserving of a voice at policymaking and governmental levels.”
This was also supported further by research into changing working styles from LinkedIn, which found that a growing number of young people favour flexible working, with more now choosing to operate from home.
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