More than half of UK freelancers have considered quitting self-employment in past year

More than half of UK freelancers and small business owners have considered giving up self-employment over the past year, according to new research from The Accountancy Partnership. The survey of 1,060 self-employed professionals found that 50.7 percent have thought about returning to traditional employment in the past 12 months. Of these, 16.4 percent said they had seriously considered leaving self-employment altogether, while 34.3 percent said the idea had crossed their minds briefly.

The findings point to growing pressures on independent workers, driven by a combination of rising costs, inconsistent workloads and increasing amounts of unpaid labour. Nearly 71 percent of respondents said unpaid work is now expected or becoming more common in their industry, with 42 percent reporting that they work at least five unpaid hours each week. Almost a quarter said they regularly exceed ten hours of unpaid work.

The research suggests that securing consistent work remains one of the most significant challenges, particularly in sectors such as construction, creative industries and health and fitness. More than two thirds of health and fitness professionals said maintaining a steady flow of work is their biggest concern, while over 40 percent of respondents in both construction and creative roles reported similar issues.

Economic conditions are also contributing to uncertainty. Around half of creative professionals said client budget cuts have negatively affected their work, while 46.6 percent of construction workers cited inflation and rising costs as a major concern. These factors are making income less predictable than in salaried roles.

Alongside fluctuating workloads, administrative responsibilities are adding to the burden. Many respondents said tasks such as invoicing, bookkeeping and tax reporting take up time outside paid work. These pressures are expected to increase with the introduction of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, which from April 2026 will require self-employed individuals earning over £50,000 to submit quarterly updates to HMRC.

Despite these challenges, the survey indicates that self-employment continues to offer benefits that many are reluctant to give up. More than half of respondents said their work-life balance has improved since becoming self-employed, suggesting that flexibility and autonomy remain key attractions.

The findings reflect ongoing tensions within the UK’s self-employed workforce, as individuals balance the appeal of independence with the financial and operational pressures of running their own business.