Umbrella company workers could benefit from drop in confidence
The REC has just published its latest Jobs Outlook report and the news looks good for contractors over a range of sectors.
The REC has just published its latest Jobs Outlook report and the news looks good for contractors over a range of sectors.
During their spring conference at the weekend, the Liberal Democrats announced that they want to see the income tax threshold raised to £10,000.
With full implementation of the Agency Workers Directive less than 20 months away, the REC has announced that it will issue new guidance to help recruiters, contractors and umbrella companies ensure their businesses are compliant in time for October 2011.
The last budget before the general election will be presented on March 24th, the Treasury confirmed yesterday. It is thought that the Chancellor will unveil his plans to cut the growing public deficit by 50% over the next 5 years.
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.
As of yesterday any gangmaster or umbrellas company that abuses the tax free allowance travel scheme will have their licences revoked by the GLA.
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.
An umbrella company is the ideal solution for contractors who do not wish to set up their own limited company or become self employed. For contractors seeking a way of working which allows them to work on several contracts without administration, then an umbrella company is the answer.
There appears to be more confusion over the timing of the implementation of the Agency Workers Directive. The government had pledged to refrain from implementing it until October 2011 and yet it now seems that they would actually be keen to have it in place before the dissolution of parliament.