The MSP market largely comprises professional occupations, at 80%, according to research from SIA. Information technology is the most prevalent skill category represented (aside from the catch-all “other professional” category). The same is true within the statement-of-work subcategory, with 92% of spend represented by professional occupations. Here, IT represents 46% of SOW spend, an indication that much of the SOW spend within programs is due to the sourcing of independent IT contractors under statements of work.

SIA forecasts that the UK will see an increase in this spend category as a response to changes to IR35 legislation in the private sector, which went into effect in April 2021.