Ann: Appendix 3Y, page-13

It's not nearly as grim as @521207126 is suggesting. While it's great that they have had success offering longer term contracts to their offshore colleagues, it's simply not true that this arrangement is applicable to everyone. Indeed, hiring for specific tasks is much more feasible for lots of businesses. For example, they might need a presentation designed, or some kind of marketing material, but that's nowhere near enough work to constitute a 12 month contract. It might be a week of work. You need that work done quickly and reliably.

So I fundamentally disagree with the assessment by 521207126 that freelancing is on the decline.
It's horses for courses.

Anyway, we might need to agree to disagree, and indeed, the reality will be played out in the markets.