While freelancer sites may be thriving, new research shows that more than a quarter of a million of the UK’s self-employed workforce are considering returning to the office. Freelance numbers have fallen by 15 per cent since the end of June, with official statistics suggesting there are 238,000 fewer freelancers today than there were prior to the crisis. Andrew Chamberlain, of freelancing trade body IPSE, said the results were “concerning”, while another spokesperson called the pandemic the “perfect storm”.