The leader of Britainís freelancers has welcomed a move by Labour MEP Peter Skinner to discover the true number of freelancers across the EU. Following a recent visit to Brussels by representatives of the Professional Contractors Group (PCG), Mr Skinner has formally asked the European Commission whether it knew how many freelancers there were throughout the EU. He suggested that if this information were not available, the Commission should consider commissioning a survey.
PCG chairman Simon Griffiths said, ìWe believe that there are around one million freelancers in the UK, generating wealth and employment, and we know that there is a growing trend towards freelancing and flexible working throughout Europe. The freelance community is a growing body of people that needs to have a voice and as the largest organisation in the UK representing freelancers, PCG is pleased to be at the forefront in campaigning on issues that matter to freelancers. We are pleased that Peter Skinner has been able to raise this issue in Brussels and we welcome the prospect of proper research being commissioned.î
PCG participated in a pan-European workshop on Freelancing in IT last year, hosted by the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS), which revealed that the UK was the only participating country that could identify its freelance labour force and that with over 200,000 IT freelancers it had the largest IT-related flexible workforce in Europe.
PCG welcomes EU bid to count freelancers
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