Umbrella Companies | Latest News

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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.

A recent survey identifies "worrying levels of non-compliance" within the umbrella company marketplace

A recent survey identifies “worrying levels of non-compliance” within the umbrella company marketplace

ContractorCalculator, a well-respected news source for contractors and freelancers, has conducted a survey which has “uncovered alarming levels of non-compliance and a lack of worker protections within the umbrella industry”. We’ve summarised the survey’s findings below and have provided some helpful tips to help you pick a compliant umbrella company …

A recent survey identifies “worrying levels of non-compliance” within the umbrella company marketplace » Read the full story

Everything you need to know about non-compliant umbrella companies

Everything you need to know about non-compliant umbrella companies

Embarking on a contracting career in the United Kingdom requires a keen understanding of umbrella companies’ pivotal role in this sector. They act as indispensable intermediaries between contractors and clients, significantly easing the administrative workload for contractors and ensuring that they are paid on time and in accordance with UK …

Everything you need to know about non-compliant umbrella companies » Read the full story

MJ Weemes Acquires Optimum Pay Group's Renowned Customer Service Team

MJ Weemes acquires Optimum Pay Group’s renowned customer service team

MJ Weemes (Trading as Alliance Combined Services Ltd) Acquires Optimum Pay Group’s Renowned Customer Service Team to Strengthen Payroll Services Division. The umbrellacompanies.org.uk Team has received news about this acquisition and more information is below. In a strategic move to further enhance its position as a leading player in the …

MJ Weemes acquires Optimum Pay Group’s renowned customer service team » Read the full story

Help available for contractors impacted by MSC investigation with new pay-per-access MSC Support Platform

Help available for contractors impacted by MSC investigation with new pay-per-access MSC Support Platform

Churchill Knight & Associates Ltd, an established contractor accountant with 25 years of experience in the sector, has launched a pay-per-access MSC Support Platform. The online tool has been built to support contractors with a limited company who have been accused of operating a Managed Service Company (MSC) during the …

Help available for contractors impacted by MSC investigation with new pay-per-access MSC Support Platform » Read the full story

Free Rugby World Cup 2023 Wall Chart available to download now

Free Rugby World Cup 2023 Wall Chart available to download now

The 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday, 8th September, and we have created a free wall chart for you to download now. Read more about this year’s tournament hosted in France, and download your free chart now. We’ve also asked Chat GPT who will win the tournament – …

Free Rugby World Cup 2023 Wall Chart available to download now » Read the full story

Have Optimum Pay Group stopped paying umbrella company employees?

Have Optimum Pay Group stopped paying umbrella company employees?

[UPDATED 03/07/2023] We have encountered rumours that Optimum Pay Group, previously accredited by Professional Passport, has stopped paying their employees. If you are a contractor or freelancer using Optimum Pay Group, please get in contact with us by commenting below and letting us know the current status of the umbrella …

Have Optimum Pay Group stopped paying umbrella company employees? » Read the full story

SafeRec – the new AI software shaping the future of compliance in the umbrella company sector

SafeRec Certification – the new standard shaping the future of compliance in the umbrella company sector

If you are a freelancer, contractor or temporary worker payroll sector stakeholder, you may have heard of SafeRec. The AI-powered software has taken the umbrella company sector by storm and has painted a new path for umbrellas looking to prove to their workers and agencies they operate compliantly with HMRC. …

SafeRec Certification – the new standard shaping the future of compliance in the umbrella company sector » Read the full story

Umbrella company regulations are approaching as the government opens consultation

Umbrella company regulations are approaching as the government opens consultation

Exciting news – umbrella company regulations remain on the government’s mind as a new consultation is launched to tackle non-compliance within the umbrella company sector. In November 2021, the government published a call for evidence in the umbrella company sector. On the 6th of June 2023, the results were published, …

Umbrella company regulations are approaching as the government opens consultation » Read the full story

In our opinion, a £29.75 per week umbrella company margin is too high

In our opinion, a £29.75 per week umbrella company margin is too high

We’ve heard reports that a leading umbrella has increased its basic weekly margin to almost £30. This is a considerable amount of money, and we wanted to share our views on what makes an umbrella company margin good value. With the UK’s economy as it is, we can all benefit …

In our opinion, a £29.75 per week umbrella company margin is too high » Read the full story

The government open consultation to discuss tougher consequences for promoters of tax avoidance schemes

The government open consultation to discuss tougher consequences for promoters of tax avoidance schemes

Tax avoidance schemes remain a serious concern to stakeholders within the contractor payroll and staffing sector. While most umbrella companies operate compliantly, some unethically aim to boost take-home pay by reducing tax and National Insurance Contributions. Recently, the government has opened a consultation to review tougher consequences for promoters of …

The government open consultation to discuss tougher consequences for promoters of tax avoidance schemes » Read the full story

FCSA launches umbrella company payslip review initiative, powered by SafeRec

FCSA launches umbrella company payslip review initiative powered by SafeRec

To protect contractors and freelancers using umbrella companies in the UK, the FCSA has teamed up with SafeRec to provide a free payslip review service. It is free and available to employees of any umbrella company – not just those using an FCSA-accredited umbrella for their payroll. Keep reading for …

FCSA launches umbrella company payslip review initiative powered by SafeRec » Read the full story

The FCSA's Independent Arbitration Panel (IAP) conclude Orange Genie's £2 deduction was "not salary skimming"

The FCSA’s Independent Arbitration Panel (IAP) conclude Orange Genie’s £2 deduction was “not salary skimming”

Last year, Orange Genie, an FCSA-accredited umbrella company, was accused of salary skimming – a practice where an umbrella unethically retains more than its margin, and employees are left out of pocket. On the back of an investigation, the FCSA suspended Orange Genie for six months. On Friday, 5th May …

The FCSA’s Independent Arbitration Panel (IAP) conclude Orange Genie’s £2 deduction was “not salary skimming” » Read the full story

HMRC has busy May as five new companies added to list of tax avoidance schemes

HMRC has busy May as five new companies added to list of tax avoidance schemes

It seems like only yesterday we published an article about two new companies that had been published in the government’s list of named tax avoidance schemes, promoters, enablers and suppliers. Now, updated on the 11th of May 2023, five new companies have been added to the list: Collect Consulting Limited, …

HMRC has busy May as five new companies added to list of tax avoidance schemes » Read the full story

Two payroll companies added to HMRC's list of named tax avoidance schemes, while two have been recently removed

Two payroll companies added to HMRC’s list of named tax avoidance schemes, while two have been recently removed

On Thursday, 20th April 2023, HMRC added two companies to its list of named tax avoidance schemes, promoters, enablers and suppliers – Acacia Resourcing Services Limited and Marquee Limited. Please keep reading for more information about these two companies, including why HMRC deem them non-compliant. HMRC is continuing to update …

Two payroll companies added to HMRC’s list of named tax avoidance schemes, while two have been recently removed » Read the full story

Video: How much does it cost to use an umbrella company?

Video: How much does it cost to use an umbrella company?

Umbrella company costs can often be an area of confusion for contractors and freelancers. Therefore, to explain how umbrella costs work and what an umbrella company margin is, we’ve created a short video entitled – how much does it cost to use an umbrella company? Please scroll down to watch …

Video: How much does it cost to use an umbrella company? » Read the full story

Video: What insurance is included when using an umbrella company?

Video: What insurance is included when using an umbrella company?

Compliant umbrella companies will provide their employees with comprehensive insurance cover – at no additional cost. Our latest video explains what insurance is included when using an umbrella company. We hope you find it helpful.  Transcript – What insurance is included when using an umbrella company? One of the benefits …

Video: What insurance is included when using an umbrella company? » Read the full story

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