Nearly half of the UK’s top firms have cut equity partners over the last year according to a new report that shows increases in partner profits continuing to be driven by a tight rein over partner numbers.

The annual law firm survey by accountancy giant PricewaterhouseCoopers found four out of the UK’s 10 largest law firms had decreased their equity partner numbers over the last year. Only three increased their equity numbers, compared with 58% of the top 11-25 firms.