One of the gripes that many umbrella companies have it the inconsistency of scale rates between umbrellas which in turn creates an unlevel playing field.
You’ve got to feel sorry for umbrella companies. Apart from the odd hiccup (Albany), they provide a stonkingly good service to contractors and have done for the best part of ten years.
The government’s proposed hike in NI contributions is causing more controversy and now leading business groups are calling for the charge to be retracted.
The Tory party is looking at ways to change the way employees pay NICs and income tax contributions. At present employers deduct these contributions at source and forward the monies to HMRC.
Businesses no longer have the opportunity to file paper copies of their Employer Annual Returns. HMRC is writing to employers in the UK reminding them that they must complete their PAYE returns online no later than 19th May if they wish to avoid facing a penalty charge of up to £3,000.
At the Royal Court of Justice last month, the retrospective effect of BN66 was last judged as lawful. The rule was being tested with regards to whether or not it breached an individual's human rights.
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation is urging contractors who are owed money from umbrella companies that have gone into administration to contact the administrator in order to obtain settlement for outstanding invoices.
More confusion exists over the Agency Workers Directive, this time for limited company contractors. Some people believed that the Regulations exclude limited company contractors but this may not be the case.
Small business entrepreneurs are feeling optimistic about the end of the recession as they expect profitability and revenue to increase despite the anticipated rise in tax, regulation and minimum wage.