The majority of the UK’s contractors and freelancers are feeling either good or neutral about their future prospects in the next year, according to a new survey, despite widespread concerns regarding tax and employment law changes.

A questionnaire delivered to more than 700 workers in the UK found that 34 per cent are “optimistic” about the next 12 months, while 37 say they have a “balanced” perspective of how they will be in 2018.

Some 29 per cent of those surveyed, however, say that they were concerned about their prospects in the light of tax changes and tough public sector reforms scheduled for the next few months.

The survey, conducted by Qdos Contractor, also found that almost half – 45 per cent – of contracting and freelancing professionals are most confident about achieving an improved work-life balance over any other benefit.

This is compared to 35 per cent who anticipate a rise in demand for their services in the next 12 months, and 13 per cent who believe that their day rates will see a significant raise.

The remaining 6 per cent said that they were most confident about other improvements, including a greater variety of work and “maturing” their business.