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IT Contractor News
This section contains the latest general news from the IT contracting world. You can browse more specific updates on areas such as tax legislation in our main sections. Also try our new service provider news updates.
Latest News
Contractors warned to be vigilant over HMRC tax probes
The PCG has warned contractors to continue being vigilant over IR35 as HMRC appears to be adopting a more devious approach to tax enquiries.
(Aug 23, 2010 in News )
PAYE overhaul on the cards as Coalition launches another consultation
The latest Government consultation could result in a radical overhaul of the PAYE system, in an aim to reduce costs for both HMRC and employers.
(Aug 16, 2010 in News )
PCG announces inaugural freelance lecture
The PCG is to hold its first freelance lecture in London this November, supported by the Telegraph Media Group.
(Aug 12, 2010 in News )
Security cleared roles should be open to all contractors
The Government has released further security clearance guidance which aims to reiterate that contractors should not have to hold existing clearance in order to apply for sensitive roles.
(Aug 11, 2010 in News )
Jobs report shows private sector recovery, but concerns over public sector cuts
The latest REC Report on Jobs shows that both permanent and contract job appointments increased in July, however the rates of growth have slowed a little.
(Aug 9, 2010 in News )
New legislation archive gives access all UK laws since 1267
A new website has been launched which brings together every law created since 1267 - providing access to a staggering 6.5 million documents.
(Aug 4, 2010 in News )
Recruiters support Government plans to review IR35
A leading recruitment body has announced its plans to work with the OTS to develop alternative legislative approaches to IR35.
(Aug 2, 2010 in News )
Job ste reports increased number of contract roles advertised
A recent IT skills reports shows that the sector continues to climb out of recession, with contract roles continuing to increase.
(Jul 29, 2010 in News )
Recruiter outlines Top 10 ITcontract roles of 2010
A recruitment consultancy has outlined the UK's most in-demand IT jobs so far this year - dominated by developer positions.
(Jul 21, 2010 in News )
New body launched to simplify tax system - including IR35
Business groups have responded positively to the launch of the Office of Tax Simplification. One of its tasks will be to review IR35.
(Jul 20, 2010 in News )
Limited company formation numbers on the up
The number of limited company formations has started to rise once again following two years of falls, according to Companies House data.
(Jul 16, 2010 in News )
Government asks us which laws should be scrapped. IR35 anyone?
The coalition has launched a new site to enable people to suggest which laws and regulations should be scrapped. Unsurprisingly, IR35 has already been nominated numerous times.
(Jul 8, 2010 in News )
Union angered as HP keeps contractors on board, but axes employees
Hewlett-Packard is to lay off a further 934 workers, with further cuts possible. The company still retains 2000 contractors, which the Unite union says "adds insult to injury".
(Jul 7, 2010 in News )
IT recruiter warns that migration cap could hurt economy
An IT recruiter has warned that a cap on migration could cost the UK economy dear, as businesses will not be able to source the key workers they require.
(Jul 6, 2010 in News )
Contracting industry encouraged by Budget measures
The contracting industry has broadly welcomed the Emergency Budget, as most contractors have escaped relatively unscathed.
(Jun 22, 2010 in News )
Emergency Budget - key points for contractors
Today's budget included rises in the rates of VAT and CGT, Corporation Tax reductions, and a complete overhaul of the benefit and tax credit systems.
(Jun 22, 2010 in News )
Contractors gear up for Emergency Budget measures
With the Chancellor set to deliver his emergency Budget today, Contract Eye will carry all the latest updates and analysis throughout the day.
(Jun 22, 2010 in News )
Details on Government IR35 review to be revealed in due course
No further details have emerged of when or how the IR35 legislation will be 'reviewed', although the Treasury confirmed that further details will be announced in due course.
(Jun 10, 2010 in News )
Second National Freelancers Day - 23rd November 2010
To celebrate the role freelancers and contractors make to the UK economy, the second National Freelancers Day is set to take place on 23rd November.
(Jun 8, 2010 in News )
PCG launches checklist for clients who use contractors
The PCG has unveiled a new checklist containing 12 key points to help clients when starting a project using contractors or freelancers.
(Jun 3, 2010 in News )
Contractors' Group responds warmly to Queen's Speech
The Professional Contractors Group, has responded positively to the Queen's Speech, which reflected coalition plans for a simpler and fairer tax system.
(May 27, 2010 in News )
Coalition outlines plans to slash red tape and review business taxation
The coalition has unveiled its plans to slash red tape, review business taxation, and encourage enterprise over the next five years.
(May 20, 2010 in News )
PCG backs coalition government to review IR35 legislation
The PCG has welcomed the formation of the new coalition government, and says it hopes both parties will push for the abolition or full review of the IR35 legislation.
(May 18, 2010 in News )
Most business owners see national debt reduction as main priority for the new government
The results of polls by two leading business organisations shows that most business owners view cutting the UK's budget deficit as the key priority for the new coalition government.
(May 18, 2010 in News )
Emergency budget date set - spending down, taxes up
The new Chancellor has announced the date of his Emergency Budget. The Budget is set to be delivered on June 22nd, and is sure to contain a whole range of spending cuts as well as tax rises.
(May 17, 2010 in News )
Survey shows contractors favour Tories in run up to election
The Conservatives are by far the most favoured political party for contractors, according to an opinion poll carried out by a leading contractor accountancy firm.
(May 5, 2010 in News )
Contractors more optimistic about future, but concerns over economy remain
A new survey suggests that contractors are feeling more optimistic about the future, but concerns still remain about the economy and taxation.
(Apr 29, 2010 in News )
Unfair agency terms and conditions? An unhappy contractor's view
A disgruntled Contract Eye reader sent us an interesting email this week which deals with an often overlooked subject - recruitment agency terms and conditions.
(Apr 28, 2010 in News )
HMRC to get pennies after ceasing IR35 action against contractor company
HMRC has finally agreed to end its IR35 court case action against Larkstar Data, yielding the tax authorities just pennies for their trouble.
(Apr 21, 2010 in News )
Contract engineers could hold key to post-recession growth
Engineering businesses are being urged to take on more contract engineers as they seek to rebuild following the recession.
(Apr 13, 2010 in News )
Social networks no match for job boards for IT professionals
A new survey suggests that, despite the media's infatuation with social networking sites, IT job seekers still overwhelmingly look for new work via job sites and recruitment agencies.
(Apr 9, 2010 in News )
Jobs report shows rapid recovery for UK jobs market
The Latest REC/KPMG Report on Jobs shows that both permanent and contract placements rose at a significant pace during March 2010.
(Apr 8, 2010 in News )
New contractor survey launched in run up to election
A new contractors' opinion poll has been launched in the run up to the next General Election. The survey aims to collect information on contractors' views on areas including the Agency Workers' Directive and IR35.
(Apr 1, 2010 in News )
Recruitment agencies and umbrella company kickbacks
Are commission payments from umbrella companies to recruitment agencies reaching unsustainable levels in some cases?, and could this benefit non-compliant umbrella schemes?
(Mar 30, 2010 in News )
Government eyes EBTs and offshore schemes in tax avoidance clampdown
At last week's Budget, the Government announced its intention to introduce new legislation to clamp down on Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs) and other 'tax efficient' schemes from April 2011.
(Mar 29, 2010 in News )
Budget 2010 (March) - main points for contractors
Budget 2010, which was as strong on political point scoring, as it was lacking in significant announcements, contains few surprises for contractors.
(Mar 24, 2010 in News )
Budget 2010 (March) - what can contractors expect?
Looking forward to what is likely to be a political Budget, what can contractors expect?, and where to follow coverage online.
(Mar 24, 2010 in News )
Contractors unimpressed with MPs as election nears
A pre-Budget survey shows that contractors have very mixed views on the state of the economy, are move likely to vote Conservative than any other party, and are overwhelmingly against the Chancellor's decision to hike up NI rates.
(Mar 22, 2010 in News )
Surge in number of contractor limited companies formed
A leading contractor accountancy firm, says that 2010 has seen a massive rise in the number of contractors forming limited companies.
(Mar 16, 2010 in News )
Budget date confirmed for 24th March
The Chancellor has confirmed that Budget 2010 will be delivered on 24th March - as widely anticipated by the media.
(Mar 10, 2010 in News )
Latest Monster figures point to recovery in jobs market
Further evidence of the increased firming of the IT jobs market has emerged, as the Monster Employment index shows the highest level of online job openings since December 2008.
(Mar 9, 2010 in News )
Leading agency reports drop in contractor numbers, but sees market improvement in 2010
Leading recruiter, SThree, has reported a 31% year on year drop in UK contractor numbers, but says that the market showing some meaningful signs of improvement over the past few months.
(Mar 8, 2010 in News )
Perm placements recovering, contract billings up slightly in Feb
The latest REC/KPMG 'Report on Jobs' suggests that the permanent jobs market is recovering fast. Contract billings continue to increase month-on-month, albeit at a modest rate.
(Mar 2, 2010 in News )
Recruiters embracing social networks to source candidates
Recruiters have acknowledged the growing influence of social networking sites on the recruitment process, and how this trend could lead to a reduction in agency income in the future.
(Feb 25, 2010 in News )
Investment banks still cautious over contractor recruitment
New figures suggest that investment banks are still suffering from a lack of confidence in the sector, with new permanent and IT contractor job offers still low.
(Feb 17, 2010 in News )
