Journalism training chiefs are to “focus” more on meeting the needs of freelance journalists after a new report found the number has risen by two-thirds since the turn of the century.

The report, commissioned by the National Council for the Training of Journalists and entitled Exploring Freelance Journalism, revealed that between 2000 and 2015 the proportion of journalists classing themselves as freelance increased from 25pc to 30pc.

The total number of freelances rose from 15,000 to 25,000, with 44pc of more than 600 surveyed saying they had been attracted by the idea.

A total of 17pc said they had been “pushed” into self-employment, while 39pc described their decision as a mixture of both factors.

While the average pay for all journalists from national data sources is £30,884, data from the freelance journalist survey suggests that for freelance journalists it is in the region of £19,500 – although a higher proportion of them work part-time.

Respondents work an average of 34 hours per week, with 13pc working two days a week or less and 23pc working more than 40 hours.

Those taking part in the survey identified the single biggest challenge as not knowing how much income they will have from month to month. However, 82pc say they are not seeking to leave freelancing.

The NCTJ’s research consultant Mark Spilsbury designed the research methodology and authored the report.

Joanne Butcher, NCTJ chief executive, said: “This wide-ranging research report provides detailed and valuable information about the growing freelance journalism market.

“Now that journalism has one of the highest rates of self-employment in the UK economy, the NCTJ must focus more of its work on providing accessible training and qualifications to meet the needs of modern freelance journalists.”