The number of temporary employees in the UK fell by 0.4% in the period from June to August 2016, compared to the same period last year, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics.

The figures showed that from June to August 2016 there were 1,658,000 temporary workers in the UK, compared to 1,664,000 in the same period last year. The percentage of temporary workers in the total UK workforce was 6.2%, down from 6.3% in 2015.

Furthermore, the percentage of temporary workers who could not find a permanent job was 30.8%, down from 35.1% a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the number of self-employed people increased by 273,000 to 4.79 million (15.1% of all people in work), compared to a year earlier.

"Just 7,000 (7%) of the 106,000 increase in the workforce was due to self-employment,” Julia Kermode, CEO of The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA). “Interestingly, behind that 7,000 figure is an increase of 23,000 fulltime self-employed, combined with a loss of 16,000 part-time roles which indicates that more people are choosing fulltime self-employment. This is positive for the economy as there are more flexible workers able to support businesses as and when needed.  This is borne out by the year on year figures that show 49% of the 560,000 increase in the UK workforce is due to self-employment.” 

“The UK continues to have a very low unemployment rate at 4.9%, and only three countries in the EU have a lower rate: Czech Republic 3.9%, Germany 4.2% and Malta 4.8%,” Kermode said. “The economic importance of the flexible workforce will continue to be key as we face uncertain times as we prepare to leave the EU."