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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 (IR35, Income Splitting, etc.) in our other main sections - see the main navigation bar to the left. Try our main site, Bytestart, for more general small business news.

Latest Articles

Reader's Question - Is it a good time to enter the IT Contracting world?
We recently received an email from a permie who is considering going contracting. He was concerned about the state of the IT Contracting market and if he should leave his current job before searching for contracts.

IT bosses cutting back on contractors
A recent poll suggests that the "credit crunch" has made IT contractors a less attractive option than permies, as IT chiefs are forced to reign back on spending.

Remote workers far more likely to visit "inappropriate websites"
New research has confirmed what most people knew anyway - that many "remote workers" are visiting smutty websites using company laptops.

Culture of "bullying" within IT Industry
Computer Weekly recently ran a story on bullying within the workplace. According to the article, bullying can often start where IT managers do not know much about the technology in use on their projects.

Engineering contractor rates set to rise due to high demand
Hourly rates for engineering contractors are expected to rise in 2008 due to the buoyant demand for their skills, according to a recent poll.

IT Contractors to be excluded from Agency Workers Bill
The Agency Workers Bill, which will give agency workers equal rights as full-time employers, is unlikely to include IT Contractors, according to a leading recruitment body.

More IT Contractors 'on the bench', but joblessness remains low
New research suggests that the number of IT Contractors 'on the bench' has begun to rise as the 'credit crunch' begins to hit home, but contractor unemployment remains very low.

Agencies acting as "shock absorbers" in uncertain jobs market
New research shows that recruitment agencies seem to be weathering the uncertainty caused by the "credit crisis" without any real problems.

Sloppy agents blamed for recent recruitment scam
A recruitment company says conned agents are not doing their jobs properly following a recent scam involving recruitment agencies and 'bogus clients'.

Contractors slam proposed HMRC "snooping" powers
A leading freelancer group has condemned proposals to give new powers to HMRC, which would give tax inspectors more powers to "snoop" on contractors.

Oracle contractor jobs market expected to grow in 2008
Oracle IT contractors are likely to enjoy an increase in demand for their skills in 2008 according to a leading contractor job site.

Project Managers take rate cuts as economy cools
Fears of an economic downturn are forcing top project managers in the digital, telecoms and media industry to cut their contract rates, according to new research.

Financial Services IT Contractors see rate hike despite credit crunch fears
Despite the media frenzy following the "credit crunch", IT contractors working in the financial services sector have seen an 11% rise in contract rates over the past six months.

Self Assessment deadline extended following "technical difficulties"
HMRC have kindly extended the online self assessment deadline by 24 hours after their systems failed to cope under the strain of online submissions.

IT contractors still confident about 2008, despite financial market uncertainty
According to new research, IT contractors are positive about the contracting market this year, despite the so-called 'credit crunch' and recent financial market uncertainty.


Are clients paying too much for project manager contracts?
Hundreds of companies are paying too much for their project management contracts according to market research.

IT Contractors value lifestyle as well as financial rewards of contracting
New research suggests that IT Contractors value the lifestyle benefits of contracting more than the financial rewards.

Agency Workers Directive - Government forces delay
The Government has gained a delay in the implementation of the controversial Agency Workers Directive.

Agency Workers Directive could see UK labour costs rise by 20%
Labour costs for UK business will rise from 10-20 per cent if the Agency Workers Directive is passed today.

Child data fiasco joins list of worst IT disasters of all time
Following the Government's child benefit data fiasco, a leading tech site has published an amusing article which highlights the "Top 10 IT Disasters of all time".