The latest news affecting umbrella companies in the UK. Featuring HMRC, the Agency Workers Directive, the 2003 Agency Regulations, and IR35.
Late payments increased by 16%, to 25.7 days, in the final quarter of last year, a situation which had an adverse affect on some recruitment companies.
Late payments continue to burden recruiters and contractors » Read the full story
The Institute for Fiscal Studies has some worrying news for people who are looking forward to a simpler UK tax system.
Are we really going to see a simplified tax system? » Read the full story
Pfizer, the world’s largest drugmaker, announced last week that it intends to shut down its Research and Development facility in Sandwich within the next 2 years.
Will the Pfizer shutdown affect umbrella company contractors? » Read the full story
Umbrella company contractors and freelancers beware! HMRC may send debt collectors to your door if you owe taxes.
HMRC to use debt collectors to bring in overdue taxes » Read the full story
Small businesses, including limited company contractors, could benefit if the Ministry of Defence rethinks the way it deals with SMEs, according to a new report by the FSB.
MoD should revamp the way it deals with SMEs and contractors » Read the full story
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
