The latest IT Contractor News from Contract Eye

2,000 public sector workers using own limited companies
An investigative news site has leaked a letter from Danny Alexander to the Chancellor which reveals that thousands of public officials are being paid via their own limited companies rather than the payroll.

IT Industry Awards open for entries
The 2012 UK IT Industry Awards are open for entries, with a wide range of new award categories including cloud services, apps, bid data and VAR, reflecting the rapidly changing world of technology.

Clients unimpressed with contractor recruitment agencies
A survey by a nationwide HR firm suggests that a massive 89% of leading companies have frozen recruitment for permanent staff, however past experiences have put them off using specialist contractor agencies.

London top, Northern Ireland bottom of umbrella contractor pay rankings
Data from the UK's largest umbrella provider, Parasol, shows how much contractors can typically earn in each region of the UK.

Most IT professionals prefer stability of permanent employment
A survey of over 3,000 IT professionals shows that people working within the industry are earning more, but working longer. Interestingly, despite the higher rates of pay offered by contracting, most prefer to remain in permanent work.

City-based IT contractor found guilty of tax evasion
An IT contractor, who worked for a number of City banks, has been prosecuted for tax evasion after diverting his income to offshore companies and failing to file a single tax return for his UK limited company.

Has the Coalition actually increased the red tape burden?
The ICAEW believes that this is a 'make or break' year for the Coalition Government's plans to slash the amount of red tape businesses have to comply with.

Using the correct SIC code on company Annual Returns
Limited company owners may be unaware that the SIC codes used to identify the type of industry a company belongs to have to be manually updated for Annual Returns submitted after 1st October 2011.

Company Bug - new site for limited company contractors
To complement our article library and news updates on Contract Eye, we have created a new site dedicated to the needs of limited company contractors.

LinkedIn gaining ground, but old fashioned CV not dead yet
Although LinkedIn is growing at a rapid rate, a survey by an online recruiter suggests that the business networking site has not killed off the traditional CV, just yet.

Contractors fear public sector limited company snub
Most contractor respondents to a PCG poll expect the number of public sector contracts and opportunities to dry up following the recent media campaign against the use of personal service companies.

Interim body concerned about Budget IR35 announcement
The Interim Management Association says that an IR35 statement included in the Budget document could undermine the UK's competitiveness.

Crackdown on personal service companies in 2013?
Kate Cottrell looks at the recent Budget IR35 statement and what impact a forthcoming PSC consultation document might have on contractors.

Why limited company contractors are not tax dodgers
Has the spotlight has turned on contractors in recent weeks, following the media furore over limited companies? and how to counteract any jibes made by permies.

Budget 2012 - Key points for contractors
The key points from Budget 2012, including personal and business tax announcements.