A majority, 64% of UK freelancers believe a “no deal” Brexit would negatively impact their business, according to a survey of 660 freelancers by the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed. When asked a similar question 12 months ago, only 44% of freelancers reported that Brexit would negatively impact their business.

The new survey also found that 30% of freelancer contractors for the last year were for clients based in the European Union (excluding the UK).

In addition, the new survey found 60% of freelancers believe their businesses will take a hit if Prime Minister Theresa May’s current withdrawal agreement goes ahead.

“The proportion of freelancers worried that Brexit will negatively impact their business has increased significantly over the past 12 months,” said Andy Chamberlain, IPSE’s deputy policy director. “This is alarming, because now more than ever the UK needs the flexibility freelancers bring to the economy.”

Chamberlain also noted freelancers are caught between a rock and a hard place.

“They are clearly worried by the prospect of a ‘no deal’, however they also feel the Prime Minister’s withdrawal agreement will freeze them out of future opportunities,” he said. “This is because they fear large companies, who are important clients for them, may relocate their operations because of Brexit. Freelancers may also find it harder to access contracts in the EU.”