A new survey has found that the idea of permanent work is disappearing in the business world to be replaced by freelancers and contracting professionals.

According to data compiled by TALint Partners, a recruitment and talent business, 29 per cent of internal recruiters think that permanent options will always be the “default” setting for British workers.

The remainder – some 71 per cent – said that some sort of flexible working solution would likely be how British companies engaged their employees.

Recent estimates made by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) put more than 50 per cent of the UK’s current workforce in contracting or freelance roles, while ONS figures suggest 15 per cent of all British workers are self-employed – some 4.8 million people.

TALint Partners’ managing director, Ken Brotherton, has attributed this rise in contracting, freelance and “gig economy” work to the changing nature of professional life. He also suggests that the rate of jobs going to contractors could accelerate further.

He added: “We all know the gig economy is growing rapidly, but a lot of employers have perhaps underestimated just how quickly the demand of candidates for traditional, permanent roles is dropping.”

He went on to say that businesses must now face the challenge of adapting to this evolution.