IT contractors are benefiting from the UK's swiftly-growing online sector, according to the latest study.

Conducted by Boston Consulting Group, the research found that the online sector in Britain is worth £100 billion each year, and is growing at around ten per cent annually.

This supports work for more than 250,000 people, many of whom are IT contractors.

In all, the UK online sector and the IT contractors within contribute more to the UK economy than either the utilities, construction and transport sectors, potentially reaching ten per cent of GDP.

"The significance of the internet to the UK economy is actually greater than these numbers suggest because important economic activities of both consumers and businesses are not directly captured by GDP," the report states.

Virgin Media recently announced that Britain is soon to get access to 100Mbps broadband, while BT is set to introduce a 110Mbps service in the spring of next year.