The latest news affecting umbrella companies in the UK. Featuring HMRC, the Agency Workers Directive, the 2003 Agency Regulations, and IR35.
Morale is currently low at HMRC and employees have now been warned that they are in for tough times ahead. Chief Executive, Lesley Strathie, informed staff that they need to be realistic about the challenges they face.
Tough times ahead for HMRC » Read the full story
Contractors, freelancers and umbrella company workers could in line for a bumper summer if the latest online job figures are to be believed.
Freelancers, jobs, and the web 2.0 revolution » Read the full story
The coalition promised to cut the amount of red tape that umbrella companies and contractors are subjected to and yesterday Vince Cable announced the first stage of the plan.
Welcome announcement on red tape reduction » Read the full story
A decrease in IT budgets could mean that contractors are expected to work harder this year. ReThink Recuitment conducted a study that shows that two thirds of decision makers in IT think workloads will increase over the remaining months of 2010.
IT contractors expected to do more with a smaller budget » Read the full story
Ten of thousands of people, including contractors and freelancers, have been affected by the tax coding problems caused when HMRC migrated their records to a new computer system earlier this year.
Umbrella company workers affected by HMRC PAYE mistakes » Read the full story
Employers and recruiters are becoming more optimistic and their confidence levels have reached their highest level this year, which could benefit those working through umbrella companies.
Recruiters cautiously optimistic about recovery » Read the full story
The European Union has proposed a new set of guidelines for labour reform in the member states but the ARC is concerned that the EU agency workers’ guidelines depict contractors and freelancers in a negative light.
Flexible workers provide benefits for clients » Read the full story
Small businesses in the UK are spending too much time complying with red tape and government bureaucracy, according to a new report by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
Some legislation “just isn’t needed”! » Read the full story
Small businesses, umbrella companies and limited company IT contractors will be in a state of ‘limbo’ until the emergency Budget is delivered on 22nd June.
What does the budget hold for umbrella companies? » Read the full story
The REC is understandably delighted that George Osborne has reversed part of the plan to increase NICs. They had opposed the move, as had all business bodies, as the potential cost would have prevented the jobs market recovering fully from the recession.
What does the Queen’s speech mean for contractors? » Read the full story
On Monday the Treasury released its plans to save £6.2 billion from the public sector budget. One of the planned measures is to cut £95 million from IT spending, which could affect those working through umbrella companies.
Market for IT umbella company contractors unclear » Read the full story
The Chartered Institute of Taxation has called on the new coalition to prioritise tax reform. They have written to George Osborne, the new chancellor, highlighted the need to simplify the current tax regime.
Current tax system “too confusing” for contractors » Read the full story
According to a recent manifesto published by the IT trade association Intellect, a fundamental overhaul of the UK tax incentive system could create as many as 250,000 jobs for IT contractors.
Would IT contractors benefit from a rebalanced tax system? » Read the full story
Recruiters and umbrella companies are drowning in employment red tape and bureaucracy after 13 years under a Labour government.
Excessive regulation is killing my umbrella company! » Read the full story
Contractors and freelancers with their own limited company, as well as interim workers who use the services of an umbrella company could soon discover exactly where they sit under the Agency Workers Directive.
New MPs to review the agency workers directive » Read the full story
Contractors who work in science and engineering could find themselves in greater demand according to a report published recently by the CBI.
Highly skilled umbrella company workers to be in demand » Read the full story
