news Archives

Should umbrella companies be worried about a hung parliament?

By UCHQ Team 08/05/2010

The stock markets have already taken a battering over the last 48 hours and several leading economists have suggested than anything other than a Tory / Lib Dem coalition could have a devastating impact on the UK economy.

Income tax and national insurance rises will hit hard

By UCHQ Team 07/05/2010

Small businesses, limited company contractors and umbrella companies could be among those affected by a drop in confidence following the result of yesterday's hung parliament election.

Umbrella company contractors happier without a manager

By UCHQ Team 06/05/2010

Contractors and freelancers sell their skills to employers without making long-term commitments to them and by doing so, they escape the burdens of dominant and outdated management styles that are depressing a lot of the UK’s permanent workforce.

Complex new tax rules create concern

By UCHQ Team 05/05/2010

If you’ve ever given advice to your friends and family about tax matters, you might be interested in the views of one of the UK's leading tax experts.

Contractor group sees glass half full over IR35

By UCHQ Team 04/05/2010

It had been hoped that a Conservative government would scrap IR35 but it now appears that this may not be the case. A Tory spokesman said last week that this may not be a viable option.

HMRC urged to go easy on late paying SMEs

By UCHQ Team 02/05/2010

According to a new report published by Begbies Traynor, nearly 200,000 small businesses in this country are still struggling financially, even though the UK is now officially out of recession.

Impact of national insurance rise could be exaggerated

By UCHQ Team 01/05/2010

According to the Institute for Employment Studies (IES), the proposed hike in employer's national insurance contributions will have a relatively small impact on the permanent employment market in the UK.

It’s bums on seats at most umbrella companies

By UCHQ Team 30/04/2010

According to some reports, there are as many as 100,000 umbrella company workers who are predominately based in an office environment, and these are the very people who are set to benefit from a new group established by the REC.

Are banks really lending to small companies again?

By UCHQ Team 29/04/2010

According to recent reports in the financial media, Britain’s banks are now approving 80% of small business loan applications, which should come as good news to limited company contractors and sole traders.

IT contractor job market picks up

By UCHQ Team 28/04/2010

The market for outsourced IT services is set grow significantly over the coming years, and this should mean good news for small businesses, limited company contractors and umbrella company workers in the UK.

IT contractors eager to head overseas for work

By UCHQ Team 27/04/2010

Despite the recession, many freelance professionals and IT contractors want to work abroad to advance their career, according to Hydrogen, the international staffing firm.

The self employed umbrella company

By UCHQ Team 26/04/2010

In my world, the term "self employed umbrella company" is a tad paradoxical. After all, a traditional PAYE umbrella employs their workers and provides (or should provide) the various benefits commensurate with employment.