Why Contractors Are the Smart Choice for UK IT in 2026

The UK tech industry is undergoing a major shift in workforce strategy and contractors are at the heart of it.

THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED

The new UK employment laws have made hiring permanent staff riskier and more expensive. The Employment Rights Bill now grants day-one rights to unfair dismissal claims, longer tribunal windows, and greater protections for flexible workers. While these changes aim to protect employees, they also increase the legal and financial burden on employers.

For IT businesses, this means every permanent hire comes with more complexity, more paperwork, and more potential liability.

THE DATA TELLS A CLEAR STORY

Recent industry surveys show a dramatic shift in hiring preferences:

• • 79% of UK IT managers say they plan to increase contractor or freelance hiring in 2025.
  • In some tech sectors, over 60% of professionals are considering a job change within the next six months.
  • The average tenure for tech professionals is now just 16–28 months, making long-term permanent hires less viable.

This mobility, combined with legal risk, is pushing companies to rethink their hiring models.

WHY CONTRACTORS MAKE SENSE

Contractors offer a strategic advantage in today’s environment:

• • Flexibility: Scale teams up or down based on project needs without long-term commitments.
  • Specialist Skills: Access niche expertise in areas like cloud migration, cybersecurity, AI, and automation.
  • Reduced Risk: Contractors operate under different legal frameworks, minimising exposure to employment claims and redundancy costs.

For IT leaders focused on agility, compliance, and cost control, contractors are not just a workaround—they’re a smarter way forward.

HOW COBA IT CONSULTANTS CAN HELP

At Coba IT Consultants, we specialise in contractor solutions tailored for the tech sector. Whether you're launching a new project, filling a skills gap, or navigating compliance challenges, we help you:

• • Source vetted, high-performing contractors
  • Manage onboarding, contracts, and IR35 compliance
  • Scale your workforce quickly and safely

We make hiring smarter, faster, and safer—so you can focus on growth.