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The latest news affecting umbrella companies in the UK. Featuring HMRC, the Agency Workers Directive, the 2003 Agency Regulations, and IR35.

Why a Good Umbrella Won’t Stop You Paying Tax

Some weeks, here at UCHQ, while we spend far more time than we should wondering exactly what the intern does, we also spend a good deal of time wondering how the umbrella company industry managed to get itself into such a mess. The tales of the umbrella companies of old, […]

Why a Good Umbrella Won’t Stop You Paying Tax » Read the full story

Job Skills to Have in the Post-Covid Era

It’s been a rough year for contractors. As we have previously reported here, the industry is showing signs of recession, not made any easier by the still-lingering threats from IR35 and a nation of new work-from-homers. But there is some good news. Some of you have already got some key

Job Skills to Have in the Post-Covid Era » Read the full story

Disguised Renumeration and Spies in the Grass

This week here at UCHQ, life is returning to something approaching normality. The intern is back to wasting time on social media, the old ‘umbrella’ jokes keep flowing, and we ponder what autumn will bring, besides a renewed need for actual umbrellas.   There seems to be something of a

Disguised Renumeration and Spies in the Grass » Read the full story

Is the Self-Employed Dream Ending?

It seems the lockdown dreams of the life of a freelancer were cut short for many self-employed during lockdown. It has been reported by the ONS (Office for National Statistics) that over a quarter of a million self-employed workers returned to full time employment during the COVID crisis, we assume

Is the Self-Employed Dream Ending? » Read the full story

More news on the Job Retention Bonus Scheme

Yes, more news this week as those further details that we were promised back at the start of July about what was going to happen with the Job Retention Bonus Scheme Payments has finally been announced by the UK government.   As discussed in an earlier post, we were not

More news on the Job Retention Bonus Scheme » Read the full story

Back to work (for some)

This week sees more people than ever back at work. In theory anyway. Today was the day that the great British public were meant to be back at work – office workers included, but that isn’t what has happened.   Public transport remains far emptier than usual, famous landmarks in

Back to work (for some) » Read the full story

Sun’s out – who needs an umbrella?

Another week, another COVID-related budget update from the chancellor, Rishi Sunak. And, as the sun is shining, the forecast is that umbrellas may not be needed. (Well. One kind, anyway). Umbrella companies are still definitely needed for all those contractors who would be financially worse off without them. In his

Sun’s out – who needs an umbrella? » Read the full story

Got Furlough? August Changes Incoming

Another week, another sting in the tail for some contractors who are using umbrella companies. If it wasn’t bad enough that many contractors felt they had no choice but to move to an umbrella company, from a limited company because of the imminent (and now deferred) IR35 legislation, those self-same

Got Furlough? August Changes Incoming » Read the full story

Cowboys and Covid-19

As if people haven’t had enough to deal with these past few months, news reaches us here at UCHQ that Umbrella Companies are, once again, finding themselves in the news for all the wrong reasons. This time it is a group of Umbrella Companies who have been deliberately targeting NHS

Cowboys and Covid-19 » Read the full story

Furloughed? Or Not? It’s Still All Up in the Air

Yes, despite being months into lockdown, news reaches us here at UCHQ that for many of you, you are still not seeing any money coming in from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, despite being unable to work for some months now. While any clarity from the government about exactly how

Furloughed? Or Not? It’s Still All Up in the Air » Read the full story

Should Umbrella Companies be Regulated?

In a week where there is clearly a dire need for umbrellas (of any colour) outside, we thought we’d turn our attention away from the never-ending will they/won’t they saga of IR35 and instead, turn our attention back to the matter of whether or not umbrella companies should be regulated.

Should Umbrella Companies be Regulated? » Read the full story

Umbrellas in Alderley Edge

Breaking news here from our intern, who, rather than focusing on researching and writing about tax affairs and business administration is, as always more concerned with the fashion world, who tells us that last week, Coleen Rooney was spotted last week in Alderley Edge with an umbrella costing a whopping £185.

Umbrellas in Alderley Edge » Read the full story

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