Small businesses are feeling less than optimistic
The Voice of Small Business Index shows that confidence amongst SMEs deteriorated in the 2nd quarter of 2010.
Two interim tax experts are heading the OTS
The Office of Tax Simplification was officially established by George Osborne and David Gauke, the Exchequer Secretary, on Tuesday.
Forget about tax evasion, honesty must be the best policy
HMRC is set to increase its investigations into tax avoidance and contractors not operating via an umbrella company may wish to get advice from a specialist accountant to ensure that all their tax matters are in order.
Great month for umbrella company IT contractors
Last month saw a surge in the number of IT contractors hired according to Powerchex, the pre-employment specialist. Between May and June, the amount of employment offers made to IT contractors soared by a massive 320%.
Contractors and freelancers help employment figures
The latest employment statistics from the ONS showed a rise in the number of people who are working and this rise is in part attributable to an increase in the number of umbrella company contractors.
Confusion still reigns over Agency Workers Regulations
De Poel, the temporary procurement agency, says that industry ambassadors and the British press need to get their facts right in light of rumours that the coalition government intends to water down some of the Agency Workers Regulations.
Clamp down on intra company transfers says APSCo
APSCo has said that the government’s cap on non-EU workers is not likely to have any significant effect on the amount of IT workers coming to the UK from foreign countries.
Government cost cutting to harm contractors?
The government’s public sector spending cuts will affect everybody including IT contractors and suppliers.
Sluggish private sector recovery sparks fears in Scotland
The Scottish private sector recovery slowed down last month according to June’s purchasing managers index from the Bank of Scotland. This development could affect umbrella company contractors operating in Scotland.
Recruitment licensing decision to benefit umbrella company contractors?
The REC has won a victory in its fight to persuade the government not to extend the Gangmaster Licensing Authority.
Prospects looking good for IT contractors
Umbrella company IT contractors may want to consider moving to the capital or the south-east of England in their bid to secure a contract.
Is my umbrella company financially stable?
1% fewer companies became insolvent in the 2nd quarter compared to the 1st quarter of 2010 according to the latest analysis from PricewaterhouseCoopers. 3,467 businesses became insolvent during the period, a drop of 28% from the same quarter last year.
