Freelance fee rates have fallen by 8%, according to a report from online consultant network Skillfair.

The survey of 40,000 independent professionals shows that the average daily fee rate reported for 2009 was £523, an 8% decline on 2008.

There was a smaller decline in rates for higher level consultancy including change management, human resources, engineering and IT which fell by less than average.  

Gill Hunt, managing director of Skillfair says: “Consultants with good skills and experience who put effort into marketing themselves are doing very well. They invest time  establishing good relationships with their clients and concentrate on adding value to the business, so are often the first people that clients turn to in a crisis.”