For the six month period beginning March this year, nearly 40,000 new businesses have been launched, a rise of 13% on the previous period, according to a study from the Royal Mail.
13% jump in new business start-ups says the Royal Mail » Read the full story
Lloyds Banking Group recently announced it was to cut jobs, a move that will affect 1,150 umbrella company and limited company IT contractors in the UK.
Bad news for IT contractors working at Lloyds Banking Group » Read the full story
HMRC is likely to become more vigilant when it comes to scrutinising the tax affairs of umbrella company contractors, freelancers and entrepreneurs.
Contractors must make sure their tax affairs are in order » Read the full story
The controversy regarding the Agency Workers Directive continues, as in fact it is likely to so do for some time to come. Although the AWD does not come into force until next October, the recruitment industry is already starting to prepare for implementation.
Umbrella companies and the agency workers directive » Read the full story
Contractors working in the retail sector have seen their rates slashed since the recession began, according to Interim Partners’ director of retail and consumer.
Interim managers may be being too pessimistic » Read the full story
The PCG is holding Mastermind sessions throughout the UK in the run up to National Freelancers Day (November 23rd).
Are you a freelance mastermind? » Read the full story
The services sector showed modest growth last month, according to the most recent Markit/CIPS Business Activity Index.
Recruitment optimism for umbrella company contractors » Read the full story
Last week, the Bank of England controversially hinted that we should be spending rather than saving.
Should umbrella company contractors be saving or spending? » Read the full story
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research think tank predicts that the UK’s economy will increase by 1.3% this year. In 2011, GDP will grow by 1.7% followed by an increase of 2.2% in 2012.
Mixed predictions on the future of the economy » Read the full story
Umbrella company contractors will no doubt be interested to learn that more people in the UK are now working flexibly.
More people are now benefiting from flexible working » Read the full story
Young umbrella company contractors need to be encouraged to save for their retirement, but in order to make the prospect appealing, the UK pensions industry need to undergo radical reform, according to George Ladds from the Fair Investment Company.
Young umbrella company contractors need to consider pensions » Read the full story
Umbrella company contractors will be pleased to hear that the first two quarters of this year saw a 9% increase in the use of interim managers, according to the latest Ipsos MORI survey findings, and 52% of all interim assignments were in the private sector.
Interim managers key to business critical change management » Read the full story
Any contractors currently at work in the UK as either limited companies or sole traders may be interested in a new series of figures recently published by HM Revenue & Customs.
HMRC finds £42 billion tax gap » Read the full story
New data released recently by the Office for National Statistics illustrate that the current rates of unemployment in the country have dropped by an additional 8,000 people for the months of May, June, and July.
Unemployment rate sends mixed signals, expert says » Read the full story
UK contractors and freelancers may very well be among a new class of entrepreneurs who are of the belief that the current economic landscape will soon be improving.
New report on entrepreneurs released » Read the full story
Nearly 150,000 small businesses in the UK are facing fears that they may become insolvent if they cannot maintain their contracts with the public sector.
SMEs and contractors face up to public sector cuts » Read the full story
