The latest news affecting umbrella companies in the UK. Featuring HMRC, the Agency Workers Directive, the 2003 Agency Regulations, and IR35.
As implementation gets closer, a recent survey has discovered that 80% of freelancers, including those working through umbrella companies, do not know what the AWR is or whether it will affect them.
Don’t understand the Agency Workers Regulations? Time to get help » Read the full story
Contractors might be interested to learn that HMRC is going to impose penalties of up to 200% on individuals found guilty of tax and capital gains evasion.
Despite various blunders by HMRC last year that affected umbrella company contractors, the department still spent nearly £800,000 more on bonus payments to staff than it paid out the previous year.
HMRC staff still receive high bonuses despite blunders » Read the full story
Last December, two British citizens were arrested on suspicion of hiding money in Swiss bank accounts to evade paying UK taxes.
Arrests made in HMRC’s clampdown on offshore bank accounts » Read the full story
The government has confirmed that it will reform the tribunal system in the UK, a decision that has been welcomed by the REC.
REC welcomes government plans to reform the tribunal system » Read the full story
Only 25% of temporary workers in London saw a decrease in the number of freelancers and umbrella company contractors in the companies they worked with last year.
Mixed outlook for umbrella company contractors » Read the full story
Confidence amongst IT contractors working in financial services has increased dramatically over the last year as banks carry on ploughing money into IT investment, new research shows.
IT contractors have many reasons for optimism » Read the full story
More than 75% of the top interim managers in the NHS believe the government’s efficiency savings will impact negatively on the delivery of frontline services, according to Interim Partners.
Will NHS reforms benefit umbrella company contractors? » Read the full story
The National Audit Office is to investigate the way tax inspectors from HMRC reach settlements with multinational companies after Vodafone’s £1.2 billion settlement caused uproar.
Should large companies pay their full tax liability? » Read the full story
Umbrella company IT contractors have entered 2011 with increased confidence, according to the most recent IT Employee Confidence Index.
Confidence abounds amongst IT contractors » Read the full story
The CBI has warned that financial services companies in the UK could cut around 15,000 jobs over the next three months as the focus sharpens on lowering costs.
45,000 job losses in financial institutions predicts CBI » Read the full story
Union officials have warned that cuts to HMRC’s budget will lead to an increase in tax evasion and widen the gap between the revenue recovered and the amount actually due.
ARC warns government not to reduce HMRC budget further » Read the full story
The freezing December weather caused 38% of small businesses to close and a further 41% to operate without their full complement of staff. The cost to the small business sector was in the region of £2.1bn.
Did bad weather affect umbrella company contractors? » Read the full story
The number of women taking on interim assignments, some through umbrella companies, has risen to an all time high, according to the latest market audit from the IMA.
There are more female interims now than ever before » Read the full story
The Institute of Employment Rights is concerned about the government’s proposed “employer’s charter”, currently under consideration.
Do employees have too many rights? » Read the full story
December saw a decline of 21% in the number of job offers confirmed in the City, according to Powerchex, the pre-employment screening firm.
Mixed picture for umbrella company contractors in financial services » Read the full story
