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In financial terms, self-employed workers have a doubly difficult time of things, it has been suggested.

According to the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), not only do self-employed people have to ensure their own financial security, they also need to make sure the tax man is happy too.

John Whiting, chairman of the CIOT's Management of Taxes Sub-Committee of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, said: "You have to sign up with the authorities as self employed and you know that you have to put your tax returns in, make sure that you have the money to pay your tax."

He said that with these and other considerations, being self-employed entails a lot of fiscal responsibility - more so than someone in contracted employment.

Mr Whiting added that many people in self-employment feel hard done by and need to get an adviser to help them get their taxes in order.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there was significant growth in the number of people in self-employment during 2001 and 2003, with figures rising 8.9 per cent.

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