The news is filled with controversies involving the so-called gig economy, but new data suggests that many self-employed people in the UK would rather take care of business themselves than have rights bestowed upon them.

Contractor Calculator, a website for sole traders, asked 250 freelancers whether they would prefer to receive the same statutory rights as employed workers.

According to the results, nearly all, 94%, said they did not want limits on working time saying they would prefer to manage their own hours.

Four in five didn’t want statutory help with grievances and disciplinary matters, while three quarters said the same about auto-enrolment into pension schemes.

Meanwhile, 82% would not welcome sickness pay, with 25% saying they have insurance and 80% planning to use savings for use in contingency scenarios.

The figures land as ministers mull the role of the gig economy and whether it should come under stiffer rules affecting workers’ rights.

Last week ministers ordered an investigation into companies using large numbers of self-employed and agency workers to bypass mandatory protections.

Companies like Uber, Hermes and Deliveroo have been criticised for alleged low pay, leading some legal experts to claim gig economy companies are neglecting working rights.

Dave Chaplin, CEO of Contractor Calculator, said this outlook wasn’t representative of the gig economy in general.

“It is clear from the results of our research that freelancers and contractors love the gig economy and do not want rights.

“Government needs to understand that media reports associated with self-employed couriers and drivers who are part of the gig economy do not paint the full picture of self-employment.

“There are thousands upon thousands of the self-employed working on a business to business basis who are very happy with the way they work and the last thing they want is further legislative burdens. They do not see themselves as vulnerable workers.”