The latest news affecting umbrella companies in the UK. Featuring HMRC, the Agency Workers Directive, the 2003 Agency Regulations, and IR35.
A new survey by Just Retirement has found that workers who have retired or are nearing retirement would like to receive more guidance on taxation and other issues. This can include those working through umbrella companies.
Those nearing retirement want more taxation advice » Read the full story
Employers may be relieved to pass over employee tax calculations to HMRC but experts are not convinced that a centralised tax system will work efficiently in the UK.
Is a centralised tax system a viable option in the UK? » Read the full story
Last week, the Bank of England controversially hinted that we should be spending rather than saving.
Should umbrella company contractors be saving or spending? » Read the full story
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research think tank predicts that the UK’s economy will increase by 1.3% this year. In 2011, GDP will grow by 1.7% followed by an increase of 2.2% in 2012.
Mixed predictions on the future of the economy » Read the full story
There’s been a massive surge in the number of entrepreneurs who have set up limited companies in the last five years, according to Experian.
Entrepreneurs leap by 117% in the last 5 years » Read the full story
Umbrella company contractors will no doubt be interested to learn that more people in the UK are now working flexibly.
More people are now benefiting from flexible working » Read the full story
The government’s temporary immigration cap is harming the social work profession according to recent reports in the media. In July, the government imposed a limit of 24,100 skilled workers from non EU countries entering the UK and a permanent immigration cap will be in place next year.
Temporary immigration cap leads to a social worker shortage » Read the full story
Young umbrella company contractors need to be encouraged to save for their retirement, but in order to make the prospect appealing, the UK pensions industry need to undergo radical reform, according to George Ladds from the Fair Investment Company.
Young umbrella company contractors need to consider pensions » Read the full story
The BBC was recently told by HMRC whistleblowers that the Revenue has been instructed not to chase a lot of underpayment cases that are over two years old and which could be open to a legal challenge; a claim that has been strongly denied by an HMRC spokesman.
HMRC says it will continue to chase tax underpayment cases » Read the full story
New research shows that small businesses, recruiters and umbrella companies in the north have less chance of obtaining business loans than their counterparts in the south.
Northern companies struggle to obtain finance » Read the full story
Umbrella company contractors will be pleased to hear that the first two quarters of this year saw a 9% increase in the use of interim managers, according to the latest Ipsos MORI survey findings, and 52% of all interim assignments were in the private sector.
Interim managers key to business critical change management » Read the full story
A fivefold increase in prosecutions against tax evaders could see HMRC bringing 800 people a year to court. In the year to September 30 2009, the Revenue brought 157 prosecutions against individuals.
Will HMRC clampdown affect umbrella companies? » Read the full story
The FSB is asking the government to do more to encourage competition in the banking sector. There have been concerns that the current lack of competition could lead us back into recession.
FSB calls for more competition in the banking sector » Read the full story
Rather than reversing the trend for late payments, a new directive from the EU could actually make matters worse, according to the FPB.
Contractors may have to wait longer for settlement » Read the full story
It was recently reported that many people are not prepared for the day to day financial changes that take place on retirement and one reason for this could be that we simply do not believe that 65 is old.
Have you considered a contractor pension yet? » Read the full story
Any contractors currently at work in the UK as either limited companies or sole traders may be interested in a new series of figures recently published by HM Revenue & Customs.
HMRC finds £42 billion tax gap » Read the full story
