HMRC get tough on tax fraud; umbrellas offer contractors safe haven
HMRC took on more cases, made more arrests and won more criminal convictions in 2012 than in 2011. With a £900m cash injection, those figures will only rise.
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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.
Increase in UK contractor hires doesn’t tell full story
The headline looks grand: UK contracting is up year-on-year and also March temporary staff placement figures show an increase on February of this year. Okay, so it’s slight. 2% annually, 1% month on month.
UK skills gap needs filling but contractors must act now to benefit
With an unprecedented shortage of skilled work and CEOs waiting for Government to do something about, now’s the perfect time for contractors to reap rewards.
FLS extension could lead to more contracting opportunities
A major government initiative designed to provide low-cost funding for small and medium sized businesses to grow may bring more contracting opportunities.
New good practice charter being touted to umbrella companies
A new good practice charter for umbrella companies has been making the rounds recently in the hopes it will help protect workers’ relationships with clients.
Digital marketing contractors workers in high demand
New research has revealed that the amount of work for freelancers and contractors working in the digital marketing sector has increased significantly.
Government seeks to drive business start-up growth
The Government has launched a new scheme designed to cut red tape holding back business start-ups by speeding up the patent process.
Will relaxed regulations lead to greater use of contractors?
Things may be looking up for freelancers and umbrella company contractors, as plans to relax certain regulations may make it easier to use contract workers.
SMEs need more aid in growing towards exportation, CBI says
Small and medium sized businesses, those same firms that use contractors and freelancers to such great effect, need more support in growing their reach.
SMEs need more funds to encourage growth, TUC says
If small and medium sized businesses are expected to expand, grow, and aid in economic recovery efforts by using more contract workers, they’ll need more money.
IT contractor demand up, yet rates may be going down
It’s a bit queer when the demand for skilled, qualified IT contractors is on its way up even as pay rates for many IT workers are being slashed significantly.
Health and Safety requirements for small firms to remain
Small businesses – and that includes freelancers and contractors – are left out in the cold when it comes to possible help on reducing Health & Safety red tape.
Small firm confidence borne out by lower insolvency levels
it looks like the confidence placed in small businesses to revitalise the economy has borne fruit as a new research study has revealed lower insolvency figures.
Creative types to soon have more copyright information
Working as a creative freelancer or contractor can pose difficulties when it comes to protecting your intellectual property, but all that could change soon.
Not enough help for contractors in Budget, says REC
The Budget may have some positive things in it to look forward to, but one recruitment industry body says that more could have been done for contract workers.
Business confidence remains high despite economic retraction
While we seem to be all teetering on yet another economic retraction, believe it or not confidence in UK business remains at relatively high levels.