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Latest Updates


IT contractor jobs market should be more stable during 2010

The latest SSL survey data shows that the last quarter of 2009 saw continued improvement in the IT recruitment market, however the overall number of IT job vacancies is still less than half the 2007 figure.
(Feb 8, 2010 in IT Contracts / Work )

SPA welcomes move to define 'professional contractor'

The SPA, which represents contractor accountants, umbrella companies and other service providers, has welcomed the recent announcement to produce a formal definition of a 'professional contractor'.
(Feb 8, 2010 in Service Provider News )

Parasol umbrella leading equity-backed company in the North West

PAYE umbrella company, Parasol, has also been ranked at the top of the Sunday Times Buyout Track 100 for the fastest growing profit margins of any equity-backed business in the region, and 14th nationwide.
(Feb 5, 2010 in Service Provider News )

Demand for staff strongest since July 2007 as recruitment recovery continues

The latest REC/KPMG Report on Jobs shows that the demand for staff grew at the strongest pace recorded since July 2007, with contract billings continuing to rise significantly during January,
(Feb 5, 2010 in News )

Successful definition of a 'professional contractor' could reap rewards

Outlining its aims for 2010, Professional Passport believes that a a recognised definition of a 'professional contractor' could reap benefits for contractors, Government, recruitment agencies, and end clients.
(Feb 3, 2010 in Service Provider News )

Leading agency reports profit slump, but contract business remains robust

Leading recruitment company, SThree, has announced a steep fall in revenues in 2009, following one of the worst years ever recorded for the industry, however the contract side of the business has held up well.
(Feb 2, 2010 in News )

Free umbrella company service launched for contractors

In a highly competitive market, a new entrant has come up with an innovative selling point - a free umbrella company service for contractors.
(Feb 2, 2010 in Service Provider News )

Contractor accountant welcomes Alstom Transport vs. Tilson EAT decision

A leading contractor accountancy firm has welcomed the recent 'fair and equitable' decision by the Employment Appeal Tribunal in the Alstom Transport vs. Tilson case, in which an independent contractor was deemed not to be an 'employee' after all.
(Feb 1, 2010 in IR35 )

Contractor group expresses concern over retrospective offshore tax case

Following yesterday's High Court ruling that HMRC could apply taxes retrospectively in a 'BN66' offshore tax case, the PCG has expressed concern that the judgement could be seen as opening the door to retrospection elsewhere within the tax system.
(Jan 29, 2010 in News )

BN66 - an overview of the offshore tax avoidance rules

In March 2008, the Chancellor announced a crackdown on the 'abuse' of loopholes in the double taxation treaties which exist between the UK and other countries. An overview of BN66 in light of the recent Huitson/Montpelier High Court case.
(Jan 29, 2010 in Tax / Accounting )

Contractor loses case against retrospective offshore tax claim

Hundreds of contractors who have used offshore tax schemes could now be liable for millions in unpaid taxes, after the High Court ruled that HMRC could legally close a tax avoidance loophole retrospectively.
(Jan 28, 2010 in News )

Market for interim managers starts to rebound

The decline in the market for interim management skills appears to be over, according to a recent snapshot of 11,000 interim mangers.
(Jan 27, 2010 in IT Contractor Rates )

Following barren 2009, finance contract job offers on the up

New figures show that financial services job offers to contractors declined by over half in 2009. However, the market has improved significantly over the past few months.
(Jan 26, 2010 in IT Contractor Rates )

Private medical insurance (PMI) for contractors

Contractors looking to cover themselves and any dependants for specialist and hospital treatment costs may be interested in find out more about private medical insurance (PMI).
(Jan 26, 2010 in IT Contractor Insurance )

Paying your self assessment online? Make sure you use the right account details for HMRC

HMRC have asked self assessment taxpayers to ensure that they pay their liabilities into the correct bank account, or face having their payments returned.
(Jan 25, 2010 in News )

Contractor organisation hits out at agency worker proposals

The Service Providers Association has called on the government to better differentiate between the constituent populations of the professional freelance workforce in its application of the AWD legislation.
(Jan 25, 2010 in Service Provider News )

Agency Workers Regulations - what employers need to know

Mark Hammerton, partner at Eversheds, provides a helpful insight to some of the key areas surrounding the final Regulations
(Jan 22, 2010 in IT Contracts / Work )

Recruitment industry welcomes Agency Workers Directive delay

The recruitment industry has welcomed the delay in the implementation of the Agency Workers Directive. The final regulations for the UK implementation of the EU Agency Workers Directive rules were laid before Parliament yesterday.
(Jan 22, 2010 in News )

Number of job ads posted online plummets to 2004 levels

The number of online jobs advertised has plummeted to levels not seen since January 2004, according to an index which monitors the number or roles advertised by many of the leading job sites on the web.
(Jan 20, 2010 in News )

Many employers feel 'ripped off' by recruitment agencies

New research suggests that employers feel ripped off by recruitment agencies, and feel frustrated that there didn't seem to be any consistency in the rates charged by agents.
(Jan 19, 2010 in News )

Can some contractor umbrella companies save me more tax than others?

Some umbrella companies appear to claim they can save contractors more tax than others. Why such claims should be treated with caution.
(Jan 19, 2010 in Contractor FAQs )

More evidence that work permit abuses are damaging the UK's IT sector

Responses to a recent contractors' opinion poll support the belief that the intra company transfer (ICT) rules are being widely abused by businesses as a way of bringing cheap foreign labour in to the UK.
(Jan 18, 2010 in News )

All quiet on the IR35 front? Contractors warned against complacency

IR35 may have been hibernating for the last few years, but leading tax experts are warning contractors to remain vigilant.
(Jan 14, 2010 in IR35 )

Contractors should watch what they post on social networking sites

Contractors should be careful what they post information on social networking sites as most employers now research potential candidates online.
(Jan 13, 2010 in News )

Contractors urged to file tax returns online by Sunday 31st January

HMRC has reminded taxpayers that they need to complete their annual self assessment tax returns online by 31st of January, to avoid paying a penalty.
(Jan 12, 2010 in Tax / Accounting )

How to spot a tax avoidance scheme - HMRC guidance

Following several attempts to clamp down on tax avoidance in recent years, HMRC has published advice on how taxpayers can identify such schemes.
(Jan 11, 2010 in News )

New chairman for Service Providers Association (SPA)

The Service Providers Association, which represents some of the UK's leading umbrella and accountancy firms, has appointed a new chairman.
(Jan 8, 2010 in Service Provider News )

Report shows significant improvement in contractor jobs market

The December 2009 'Report on Jobs' shows a significant improvement in both the permanent and contract jobs markets, with the sharpest growth figures since 2007.
(Jan 7, 2010 in IT Contractor Rates )

PCG calls for fresh approach to freelancing

The leading contractor representative group is calling on the Government and policy makers to take a fresh approach to freelancing at the start of the new decade.
(Jan 6, 2010 in News )

Do I need to register my ltd company for VAT?

At what stage do limited company contractors have to register for VAT?
(Jan 5, 2010 in Contractor FAQs )

VAT changes for limited company contractors in 2010

Alongside the return to the old rates of VAT from 1st January, most contractors will also have to get used to filing their returns online from 1st April 2010.
(Jan 4, 2010 in Tax / Accounting )

What is the outlook for the contractor mortgage market in 2010?

Many contractors thinking about taking out a mortgage (or re-mortgage) over the past two years will have been more aware than most about the increased scrutiny with which lenders view mortgage applications. So, what is the outlook for the contractor mortgage market in 2010?
(Jan 4, 2010 in Money / Investing )

Contractor income protection (PHI) guide

Contractor income protection insurance can provide a tax free monthly income to protect you if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. What to look out for when choosing a policy.
(Dec 27, 2009 in Money / Investing )

Financial services contractor job offers up, but rates under pressure

The number of financial services job offers has risen this month, raising hopes of a lasting economic recovery. However, the large number of applicants has forced down contract daily rates.
(Dec 22, 2009 in IT Contractor Rates )

IT contractor insurance guide

Guide to IT contractor insurance - including professional indemnity insurance, IR35 insurance, public and employees' liability cover.
(Dec 21, 2009 in IT Contractor Insurance )

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