Having control over when, where and how you perform the work is what distinguishes an independent contractor from an employee, and has tax implications. I think it is one of the distinctions the CIPD would like to see removed. Freelancers aren't necessarily contractors. I think the distinction between them and gig workers is that "freelancers" are more likely to be professionals and are probably better able to negotiate their contracts.

The study shows that the gig economy suits a lot of the people working in it. It is not only employers who like to have flexibility. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the happiest are those for whom it is a side hustle. Of course, where people rely entirely on the gig economy for a living such flexibility may be only notional, and the study shows these are the least happy with it.

I think the numbers are probably under-reported, but that's because there will be a lot of people who simply don't turn up in any records. You can earn up to £1000 before you have to tell HMRC. A lot of people will be doing casual work for private individuals and are probably paid in cash, with no record of their employment anywhere.

The gig economy is no different from full-time employment. There are those who it suits and those who it doesn't, and that goes for both workers and employers. There are some who are exploited and others who do very nicely from it.