The gig economy refers to a trend away from traditional employment models towards the use of people to fulfil short-term projects or “gigs”. It is becoming increasingly prevalent with the advent of technologies that allow freelancers to bid for or otherwise engage clients on a piecemeal basis. Uber, Deliveroo and Upwork are all examples of disruptive technologies that are putting clients in touch with service providers in real-time online marketplaces. These pages cover the “Uberisation” of the economy and the employment status of so-called “gig workers”.
The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee has launched an inquiry into the changing nature of work and the...