SMES still think its too hard to win government contracts
Despite government promises to make it easier for small businesses to win public sector contracts, it’s plans don’t seem to be working.
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.
Gartner revises global IT spending prediction
IT contractors may be interested to learn that industry analyst Gartner has revised its prediction for worldwide IT spending this year.
Lights are appearing at the end of the job vacancy tunnel
Recruitment agency Adecco recently said that the number of job vacancies was on the increase last month, news that will no doubt delight IT umbrella company contractors.
Do we need a nurse-patient quota system in our hospitals?
The REC Healthcare division has welcomed recommendations from the Royal College of Nursing on ways to maintain nurse/patient ratios.
Confidence among employers reaches 12-month high
The March edition of the REC’s JobsOutlook report showed that employer confidence in February increased to its highest level in 12 months. It also held good news for both temporary and permanent job candidates.
Contractors still don’t get fair share of government work
Umbrella company contractors who had been hoping to benefit from more government contracts are disappointed that major corporations are still getting the bulk of the work.
Are Government contractors exempt from IR35?
No sooner has the furore surrounding Mr Lester died down, it now transpires that the Department of Health has been paying 25 senior members of staff through limited companies. In fact more than £4 million has been paid out in this way.
Financial services interim managers enjoying lucrative pay
Contractors may be interested to learn that interim managers working in financial services have been enjoying lucrative pay rates over the last six months.
Reed Job Index ends the year 17% up on 2010
Umbrella contractors may be interested to learn that the Reed Job Index ended 2011 with 17% more job vacancies than the year before. However, the Job Index ended the year on 121 after falling significantly in December. In November the Index registered 133, a slight increase on the previous month’s 129.
Will 2012 be a year of widespread discontent?
2012 will be remembered for the London Olympics, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and if one union leader is to be believed, a year of strikes.
REC to step up its promotion of flexible working in 2012
PAYE umbrella company contractors may find more opportunities in the public sector in 2012 after the REC launches a new Commission.
