IT contractor rates - average hourly and daily contract rate analysis

Free umbrella service for contractors
Save over £1400 p.a on fees
Click here or call 0845 602 7712.

Now public sector prepared to slash contractor rates

Posted Apr 2, 2009

Following on from cuts at many of the UK's largest companies, now Leeds City Council has decided to slash 10% its IT contractor bill.

Over the past year, we've seen rates slashed at most of City investment banks as well as a growing number of non-financials.

Recent additions to the rate cut list include BP, Capgemini, HSBC, and inevitably many others who have not been reported by the media.

In February, BP asked its 900 contractors to accept a 10% cut (and to agree to the new terms within 48 hours).

Later in the month, Microsoft's US IT contractors were subjected to a similar reduction in rates, although its UK contractors were spared on this occasion.

Although it may not affect a large number of contractors, the Leeds City Council cuts are significant in that they show the willingness of public sector bodies to make radical contractor cuts.

A spokesperson from the Council told The Register:

"Because of current budget pressures all suppliers on the framework have been asked to provide a ten per cent reduction on the rates paid for existing and future ICT contractors. The suppliers concerned have indicated that this is typical of what is happening across the ICT sector at this time."

Please scroll down for related articles

Contractor Services


Related Articles

Volatile recruitment market for financial services contractors
Financial sector recruitment is continuing to grow, according to a recent report, although the summer has seen a slip in offers made to IT contractors within the sector.

Recruitment agency reports sharp rise in IT job vacancies
A specialist recruitment agency has reported a sharp rise in the number of registered IT jobs during the second quarter of 2010.

Number of IT contract roles rebounds, rates on the rise
The latest statistics published by Salary Services suggest that after 2 dreadful years, the contract market is now rebounding.

Surge in demand for financial services IT contractors
Contract offers in the financial sector jumped by over 300% from May to June, suggesting that investment banks may be preparing for a significant upturn.

Scottish contract market continues to strengthen
The latest Bank of Scotland 'Report on Jobs' suggests that the contract market north of the border is continuing to strengthen, albeit at a slower pace than earlier in the year.

Drop in demand for financial services contractors
New research shows that financial services contractors are suffering from a lack of new projects - with demand for their services down by over 50% since May 2009.

Demand for contractors grows as investment in IT picks up
New research suggests that long term contractor unemployment has dropped by one third, and contractor confidence is growing, as investment in new IT projects gathers pace.

Energy trading IT contractors in huge demand says recruiter
A recruitment group says that investment banks may face a "brain drain" of IT contractors following high demand for skills in the energy sector. Business analysts in the sector have seen rates increase by 40% since 2008.

Job site reports 54% increase in IT contract roles advertised
A leading IT job site has seen a 54% increase in the number of contract roles advertised during the first quarter of 2010, suggesting that the worst may be over for the contract market.

Financial services IT contractors enjoy market upturn
New figures show that IT contractors in the financial services sector have enjoyed something of a revival in fortunes, with the number of contract jobs offers up 57% on the same period in 2009.

Consultants optimistic about future despite dip in rates
The results of Skillfair's 5th annual rate survey has been released, showing that consultants are overwhelmingly optimistic about the future, despite a short-term dip in rates.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Qdosconsulting