HMRC stand firm on late payments of VAT
According to new figures published by IT service provider Syscap, the number of Time To Pay VAT requests rejected by HMRC has more than doubled in the first 3 months of 2010.
news
The latest news affecting umbrella companies in the UK. Featuring HMRC, the Agency Workers Directive, the 2003 Agency Regulations, and IR35.
Contractors and freelancers ‘vital’ to the recovery
According to the REC’s latest JobsOutlook report, agency workers, umbrella company employees and limited company contractors will become a vital compenent in the economic recovery.
Labour market set to remain tough for contractors
The number of short term assignments for limited company contractors, sole traders and umbrella company workers is set to drop according to a new report by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
Surge in part time umbrella company workers
There are now more than one million people in the UK working on a part-time basis because they are unable to find a full-time position. The number of temporary workers who can’t find permanent jobs has also increased to 40%.
IR35 escape for IT contractor
After a 5 year fight, Novak Brajkovic has finally won his appeal against HMRC’s interpretation of his service contract. HMRC considered that Brajkovic was a full time employee rather than a contractor.
Will the agency workers directive be reviewed under the new government?
The agency workers directive could have an adverse affect on contractors working in the oil and gas industry according to the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
Preparations continue ahead of the agency workers directive
Following it’s successful ‘on the road’ tour, the REC has stepped up it’s campaign to educate recruiters and clients about the impact of the forthcoming Agency Worker’s Directive.
Should umbrella companies be worried about a hung parliament?
The stock markets have already taken a battering over the last 48 hours and several leading economists have suggested than anything other than a Tory / Lib Dem coalition could have a devastating impact on the UK economy.
Income tax and national insurance rises will hit hard
Small businesses, limited company contractors and umbrella companies could be among those affected by a drop in confidence following the result of yesterday’s hung parliament election.
Umbrella company contractors happier without a manager
Contractors and freelancers sell their skills to employers without making long-term commitments to them and by doing so, they escape the burdens of dominant and outdated management styles that are depressing a lot of the UK’s permanent workforce.
Complex new tax rules create concern
If you’ve ever given advice to your friends and family about tax matters, you might be interested in the views of one of the UK’s leading tax experts.
Contractor group sees glass half full over IR35
It had been hoped that a Conservative government would scrap IR35 but it now appears that this may not be the case. A Tory spokesman said last week that this may not be a viable option.
HMRC urged to go easy on late paying SMEs
According to a new report published by Begbies Traynor, nearly 200,000 small businesses in this country are still struggling financially, even though the UK is now officially out of recession.
Impact of national insurance rise could be exaggerated
According to the Institute for Employment Studies (IES), the proposed hike in employer’s national insurance contributions will have a relatively small impact on the permanent employment market in the UK.
It’s bums on seats at most umbrella companies
According to some reports, there are as many as 100,000 umbrella company workers who are predominately based in an office environment, and these are the very people who are set to benefit from a new group established by the REC.
Are banks really lending to small companies again?
According to recent reports in the financial media, Britain’s banks are now approving 80% of small business loan applications, which should come as good news to limited company contractors and sole traders.