Nearly half of UK workers want to opt out of traditional employment and become self-employed or run their own business.

A survey by recruitment firm Kelly Services found UK workers have a strong entrepreneurial streak, with 41% of those questioned claiming they were considering something other than being directly engaged with an employer.

Of these, the largest share wanted to be free agents, carrying out consulting, temporary or contract work.

A further 14% wanted to run their own businesses and 8% wanted to work freelance, seeking contract work from various employers.