Should umbrella companies be concerned about income tax/NI merger?
Umbrella company contractors may be interested to learn that a firm of chartered accountants has expressed concerns about the plan to merge income tax and national insurance.
Firms need tax breaks to encourage them to hire young people
Prospects aren’t looking too bad for contractors at the moment, but unfortunately the UK’s young people are still struggling to find employment.
Marked increase in opportunities for IT contractors
According to jobadswatch.co.uk, the third quarter of 2011 saw an increase in the number of opportunities for IT umbrella company contractors.
Freelancers help employers survive in the turbulent economy
Employers are increasingly turning to the flexible workforce, including freelancers, to help them survive during the current turbulent economic climate.
Will Regional Growth Fund cash injection help contractors?
Limited company contractors could be set to benefit after the government announced it was to inject £950 million into the Regional Growth Fund.
Umbrella company contractors should not suffer because of AWR
The Agency Workers Regulations should not prevent organisations using umbrella company contractors to build a flexible workforce, according to the REC.
2,000 people complain about threatening letters from HMRC
Since 2009, HMRC has sent out approximately 17 million letters to taxpayers, including umbrella company contractors. Now it has emerged that around 2,000 people have complained about the threatening tone of HMRC’s debt recovery letters.
HMRC dramatically improves IR35 yield
Umbrella company contractors who have been longing to see the back of IR35 might be interested to learn that HMRC’s average yield per case has leapt by 100%.
15% of the European workforce is now self-employed!
Umbrella contractors may not be aware that the UK is not the only country with a thriving contractor community.
Umbrella contractors yearn for stability
Apparently, umbrella company contractors yearn for stability nearly as much as their permanent counterparts do, according to a survey commissioned by recruitment company Elan.
Tesco opts for Swedish derogation model
Umbrella company contractors are no doubt well aware of the Agency Workers Directive that came into effect at the beginning of October.
Skilled employees are thin on the ground say SMEs
Contractors working through an umbrella company might be interested to learn that nearly 50% of the UK’s SMEs are struggling to find the right staff.
