FREELANCERS UNION BLOG

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Outlook for Freelancers in 2014 Improves During Global Economic Recovery (PCG Report, UK)

This week, PCG, a membership association for freelancers in the UK, released a report about the outlook for self-employed workers in 2014.

Here’s what we think is interesting: even in the midst of economic recovery both the US and the UK, we’re continuing to see increased numbers of freelancers and strong interest in freelancing. This refutes the claim that the rise of freelancing is solely motivated by the recession; other factors, like the desire for independence and flexibility, risk mitigation for large employers, and a need for specialized, highly skilled work suggest that the freelancing is an attractive option for many workers.

Here are some highlights from the report:

  • By the end of 2013, there were 4.36 million freelancers in the UK (nearly 7% of the population).
  • There has been a 63% increase in freelancers in the UK between 2004 and 2013.
  • As mentioned above, freelancing rates continue to increase despite the economic recovery, suggesting that “this new way of working is persistent rather than a one-off reaction to the financial crisis.”
  • There’s a skill shortage, which means skilled freelancers should see more contracts and better rates.
  • Despite better credit conditions, access to credit for small businesses in the UK remains subdued (as in the US).