Freelancers keep unemployment down

Unemployment would have risen to a higher level than it already has if it weren't for the increasing number of freelancers and people running their own businesses.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development suggests that employers were wary of hiring full-time staff, and have turned to skilled freelancers in many cases.

There has been a long-term trend towards people moving into self-employment to give themselves power over their own work and taking advantage of more flexible working conditions.

The Professional Contractors Group (PCG) estimates that around 1.4 million people have chosen to work as contractors rather than taking temporary work.

This Friday the Government's Global Enterprise Week has a series of events focused on homeworking; and next Monday the PCG is organising a series of events to mark National Freelancers Day.

At last there seems to be some recognition for this increasing sector of the workforce which does a huge amount to keep Britain's economy pumping - in good times as well as bad.