The Agency Worker Regulations were back on everybody’s mind at the end of last week. Following publication of the draft guidelines last Thursday, a two week consultation period is under way during which time the REC will be collecting feedback from its members and submitting a response to the BIS. …
AWR implementation moves a step closer » Read the full story
When he delivered his budget speech last week, the Chancellor announced that 21 enterprise zones were to be created rather than the originally planned 10. Businesses moving into one of these will receive discounts of up to 100% on their rates, superfast broadband and enhanced capital allowances where the zone focuses on manufacturing.
The FSB claims the Chancellor missed a golden opportunity to boost the creation of jobs when he delivered his budget on Wednesday.
The latest JobsOutlook from the REC shows that optimism is returning to the jobs market as more companies report an increase in their hiring intentions.
Directors said the OTS should have prioritised the design of a clear business test to distinguish between employees and the self-employed.
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%.
During the Conservative Party’s spring conference last weekend, George Osborne said the government planned to reintroduce Enterprise Zones.
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.
Small businesses may need to re-think their rates if they want to attract highly-skilled talent, according to Badenoch & Clark.
Umbrella company contractors will be interested to hear that the REC is joining the Office of Tax Simplification. REC officials will now join a number of other legal and tax experts on the small business consultative committee.
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.
As implementation gets closer, a recent survey has discovered that 80% of freelancers, including those working through umbrella companies, do not know what the AWR is or whether it will affect them.
The government has confirmed that it will reform the tribunal system in the UK, a decision that has been welcomed by the REC.
More than 75% of the top interim managers in the NHS believe the government’s efficiency savings will impact negatively on the delivery of frontline services, according to Interim Partners.
Umbrella company contractors will be pleased to learn that the number of vacancies for temporary staff continued to increase last month.
Dr Ken Beaumont from Workforce Logistics has confirmed what umbrella company contractors have long known; flexible working lowers stress levels!
