The number of temporary workers in the UK fell 10.5% year over year in the April-June quarter to approximately 1.5 million, according to data released 13 August by the Office for National Statistics. However, the number of temporary workers is up 4.2% when compared to the January through March quarter of this year. Data is not seasonally adjusted.

Temporary workers represented 5.1% of all employees in the April-June quarter, according to the ONS.

The data was released as part of the ONS’ overall jobs report.

Data also indicated why workers chose to be temps:

• Could not find a permanent job: 292,000, or 19.9%
• Did not want a permanent job: 412,000, or 28.0%
• Had a contract with period of waiting: 145,000, or 9.9%
• Some other reason: 609,000, or 41.5%