Self Employment in the UK falls for 6 months straight
The UK's self-employed have been hit for six and it shows. Another 51,000 shut up shop in the 3 months to July. It's time to plug the leak. Now!
British self-employment hits 40 year high
Brace yourselves for some good news: never in 40 years have self-employment figures been this high, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Women turn to contracting as redundancies kick in
4.132m people in the UK are now self-employed according to the latest employment statistics from the ONS. That’s an increase of 136,000 since February 2011.
Employment is up but small businesses still need more support
The latest employment statistics, released by the ONS last week, showed a 0.1% decrease in the unemployment rate.
Opportunities abound for contractors north of the border
Umbrella company contractors north of the border will be pleased to learn that demand for their services continues to rise. The latest PMI shows that growth reached its highest level for four years in February and plenty of job opportunities are springing up for job seekers.
Will rising unemployment create more umbrella company contractors?
Last week’s unemployment figures made depressing reading for everybody, including umbrella company contractors.
REC says something must be done about youth unemployment
After last week’s disappointing jobs statistics showed that youth unemployment is still increasing, the REC has called on the business community to become involved in proactive initiatives such as the Youth Employment Charter.
Rise in number of older Brits starting a business
New research from the Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks shows that an increasing number of older Brits are foregoing retirement and setting up a business instead.
Sluggish growth and rising costs prevents SMEs expanding
Last week’s GDP figures from the Office for National statistics confirmed growth of just 0.2% in the second quarter of this year.
Drop in unemployment welcomed but the trend must continue
The FSB recently welcomed the news that unemployed dropped by 88,000 and that a similar number of people entered the workplace.
Employee sickness levels are on the rise
The latest ONS statistics show that levels of staff sickness absence have reverted to pre-recession levels. Before the economic crisis, 2.5% of respondents said they had taken a day off in the 7 days prior to the survey.
What does the future hold for contractors?
Freelancers will no doubt be relieved to learn that Work Wise UK thinks there will not be a large rise in unemployment next year.
