Will the Growth and Innovation Fund solve skills shortages?
Umbrella company contractors and small businesses could benefit from the government’s recently launched Growth and Innovation Fund.
contractors
Private sector hiring intentions are on the rise
Contractors may be interested to learn that the latest Employment Outlook Survey from Manpower predicts that hiring will increase slightly in Q2. The survey reveals that the seasonally adjusted net outlook for employment is +2%.
Are we set to see more female umbrella company contractors?
Female IT workers thinking about becoming contractors have some food for thought after the MD of Women in Technology, Maggie Berry, commented that the sector was still very much male dominated.
Will Enterprise Zones work now when they failed before?
During the Conservative Party’s spring conference last weekend, George Osborne said the government planned to reintroduce Enterprise Zones.
Do contractors use ISAs to save tax?
Contractors may want to take the advice of the Nationwide and use their ISA tax relief allowance for this year before it runs out.
Do HMRC provide umbrella companies with a poor service?
It will probably come as no surprise to umbrella company contractors to learn that complaints against HMRC have increased dramatically over the last couple of years.
Opportunities galore for IT contractors
IT umbrella company contractors should have been amongst those to benefit from an upsurge in demand for their services in recent months.
Do umbrella company contractors need language lessons?
Contractors who have been used to public sector working will need to learn private sector language if they become victims of the government spending cuts.
Do umbrella company contractors name God as a referee?
You may think God is on your side but he doesn’t give job references!
Does a north/south divide affect umbrella company contractors?
There is a North-South divide when it comes to hiring intentions, according to the latest quarterly survey of entrepreneurs conducted by RSM Tenon, the professional services firm.
The end of the road for IR35?
Member companies of the REC met with the Office of Tax Simplification last week to discuss IR35. The REC was recently appointed to the OTS’ small business consultative committee. The head of public policy at the REC, Gillian Econopouly, said she was delighted that members had the opportunity to discuss IR35 directly with the OTS.
Employers battle it out to attract top umbrella company contractors
Small businesses may need to re-think their rates if they want to attract highly-skilled talent, according to Badenoch & Clark.
New online assessment tool for recruiters launched by APSCo
APSCo has just released a new online assessment tool to help recruiters benchmark the progress of their consultants, a move that could raise standards and benefit umbrella company contractors.
Are umbrella companies affected by HMRC staff cuts?
Umbrella company contractors might be unsurprised to hear that the Commons Treasury select committee has been told that HMRC is nearly at breaking point due to recent staffing cuts.
How to write the perfect CV, contractor style!
It can be a cut-throat world competing for contracts, with several people all after the same position. How do you outshine the rest?
Will the Pfizer shutdown affect umbrella company contractors?
Pfizer, the world’s largest drugmaker, announced last week that it intends to shut down its Research and Development facility in Sandwich within the next 2 years.