News articles claim that Councils are struggling to fill social worker positions and this in turn could put vulnerable children at risk. Councils are trying to use agency workers to meet the void but demand outstrips supply.

At Umbrella we wish to highlight the deep concern felt with the points raised and possible proposals outlined in the recently published HMRC document titled ‘Employment Intermediaries: Temporary workers – relief for travel and subsistence expenses’

Yesterday 16^th December 2014 HMRC issued their discussion document on changing the current scheme in respect of the tax relief temporary workers currently benefit from for costs reimbursed in relation to travel and subsistence (food and drink).

The Government have issued the results of a survey into ‘Pay Between Assignments’ (PBA) with is often known as the ‘Swedish Derogation’.

There have been a number of scare mongering stories that the days of Umbrella Companies are numbered following the inclusion on 10^th December 2014 of the following statement in the Finance Bill

At Umbrella we provide accountancy services for small owner managed limited companies and as part of this service we often act as the registered office making it easier for us to monitor Companies House and Tax Notices that require actioning.

We're off to a festive start raising money for Christies with Dan Bird winning Week 1 of the Christmas Jumper Competition. Don’t forget to vote every Friday on our Facebook page for your favourite Umbrella.co.uk reindeer by liking their photo. Ho Ho Ho!

Like it or lump it, it’s hard to ignore it. That’s right folks; Christmas is just around the corner. What does that mean? Well, apart from parties, mince pies, hangovers and jumpers covered in reindeer, its time for a quick reflection on the year coming to a close.

As previously reported, the Chancellor as part of his Autumn Statement, has stated there will be a discussion opened regarding the Government’s concern that “some temporary workers to benefit from tax relief for home to-work travel expenses that is not generally available to other workers”.

Yesterday as part of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement a loophole involving transferring the goodwill of the business of an LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) into a Limited Company with the same controlling persons has been closed with immediate effect (3^rd December 2014).

For some time now – well, at least over the last few months – the UK’s burgeoning contracting and freelancing community have been receiving platitudes. ‘Britain is the freelance capital of Europe’, they say, with the ‘most mobile and resilient workforce out there’, they say.

Umbrella-Company Limited, who operate under the trading name umbrella.co.uk, are currently recruiting a number of Business Development Managers (BDM’s) to work in either their new London Office in Aldersgate or their South Manchester Head Office on Manchester Road in Wilmslow.