Umbrella contractors could be amongst those to benefit from the government’s decision to let the High Speed Two rail link go ahead. It is thought that HS2 could lead to the creation of as many as sixty thousand jobs.
Under new proposals published last week, individuals, including umbrella contractors, who are suspected of committing a tax fraud will no longer be immune from prosecution.
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.
Umbrella contractors may not be aware that the UK is not the only country with a thriving contractor community.
Millions of people, including umbrella contractors, could be in line for an early Christmas present from HMRC in the form of a tax rebate. 6 million income tax rebates will be made following the identification of PAYE errors in the years up to 2007/08.
Umbrella contractors may be interested to learn that the September Job Index from Reed showed falling job demand in a range of sectors. The index fell back one index point compared to the previous month, although demand is still up 16% year-on-year.
Umbrella contractors might be interested to learn that the REC’s legal helpline has been swamped with calls from members querying the implementation of the Agency Workers Regulations, which come into force today (Saturday, October 1st).
Umbrella contractors might like to know that Danny Alexander, the chief secretary to the Treasury, has said HMRC is to strengthen the size of its team tackling tax avoidance and evasion by adding more than 2,000 additional tax inspectors this autumn.
Female umbrella contractors might be interested to learn that Scottish recruiters believe the shortage of women working in the engineering, maths, science and technology sectors could be detrimental to the country’s economy.
Umbrella contractors may be interested to learn that the standard of leadership in UK organisations is in the spotlight following the publication of research from the CIPD and talent management consultancy, DDI.
Umbrella contractors may be interested to learn that the government recently disclosed the locations of the remaining 13 English Enterprise Zones that it hopes will help kick-start economic growth.
Flex Plus recruitment consultancy has warned that the Agency Workers Regulations could drive up supply chain costs.
Umbrella contractors might be interested to learn that leading accounting bodies are calling into question the ‘tax gap’.
Umbrella contractors may be relieved to learn that government data shows there has been a decrease in corporate insolvencies this year.
A new report from APSCo suggests that temporary workers might be in for a hard time in the next few months.
Ed Balls, the shadow chancellor, recently called on the coalition to implement a temporary emergency reduction in the VAT rate to jump-start the economy and boost consumer confidence.
