EU is relying on small businesses to drive recovery
The small business sector is crucial to EU growth, according to Helena Walsh, the Brussels regional director for Cicero Consulting.
Is Big Brother watching over your trading activities?
Umbrella company contractors may want to ensure that they are not living beyond their declared means after HMRC announces it is going to get tough on tax evaders.
Public sector strike action could affect umbrella company contractors
Freelancers, contractors and small business owners may want to make preparations so that they are not affected by public sector strikes.
HMRC persist with revenue generating policies
Umbrella contractors need to be aware that HMRC plans to target more sectors in a bid to recoup unpaid taxes.
Will IT contractors join the “green” revolution
IT contractors would be advised to learn some new skills if they want to help drive the green IT revolution.
Are contractors in Scotland finding more opportunities now?
Umbrella company contractors north of the border could be benefiting from increased private sector business activity.
HMRC increases its efforts to curb international tax evasion
HMRC is continuing its quest to catch umbrella company contractors with undeclared earnings in offshore savings accounts and this could spell bad news for hundreds of thousands of British residents.
Will the much heralded Work Programme actually work?
The coalition’s Work Programme launched at the end of last week, but Carmen Watson, the MD of Pertemps, warned that in order to be a success, the programme must match workers with sustainable employment.
NHS Trusts expenditure on umbrella company locums increases dramatically
The Royal College of Surgeons warns that government cutbacks have led to some hospitals using inexperienced locum surgeons as consultants. As well as a lack of experience, the organisation says some foreign locums do not have a good grasp of the English language.
Small businesses want to see a reduction in employers NICs
A new survey from the FSB confirms that small businesses would be more willing to take on staff if the coalition reduced employers National Insurance Contributions.
Public sector turns to freelancers to complete IT projects
After cutting 132,000 jobs in 2010, the public sector is now turning to freelancers to fill the gaps, according to a recent study by PeoplePerHour.com.
Are contractors finding less opportunities?
The latest Reed Job Index shows that UK job opportunities slipped back for the second consecutive month in May.
