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The Chancellor George Osborne has withdrawn plans for an emergency ‘punishment’ budget - that could have resulted in higher taxes and lower levels of public spending - in the wake of the referendum vote for Brexit.
This spells good news for contractors, who have been stung as a result of several recent budget statements from the current Chancellor...
From the 30th June, the Annual Return is changing. This document, which must be completed and sent to the Companies House at least once every 12 months, will change to become a Confirmation Statement from this date.
One of the most significant changes attached to the Confirmation Statement is the requirement for companies to publish a list of 'People with Significant Control', explained in more detail below.
We have a rogue baker in the office. Annie, one of our Account Managers has made this colourful and delicious 'Mermaidy Unicorn' vanilla sponge cake, with vanilla butter cream, handmade meringues and LOTS OF GLITTER!
In a national referendum on Sunday, Swiss voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposal that would see every adult citizen paid more than £1,700 each month, regardless of whether they worked or not.
The plan was rejected by 77% to 23% of the popular vote, and none of the major political parties came out in support of it (the referendum was triggered when an online petition reached 100,000 signatures). Even so, the referendum has sparked lively debate and raised a number of important questions about the future of work. And senior politicians in the UK are interested in learning more details.
Stacey, our brave Contracts Administrator, took the heart-warming decision to shave off her gorgeous hair at the weekend in support of her poorly grandma. Stacey has raised over £1,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Her colleagues in Customer Services greeted her with matching bald heads this morning in support of her cause. Customer Services Manager Sarah said "We're all really proud of you Stacey and you still look hot!" You can still sponsor Stacey here
Call volume has fallen by almost 40% in customer services since the introduction of the new T&S legislation.
We have therefore created a customer service hub serving both umbrella and accountancy customers which will offer first line support for all customer telephone enquiries. This will be available from 1 June 2016.
Fresh off the press at Nissan, the successful vehicle manufacturer proud of its significant UK workforce and general presence, is news that will no doubt particularly resonate with contractors and other businesspeople.
Thrusting a gentleman called Patrick Keenan into the spotlight, the firm behind the ubiquitous Qashqai SUV has pulled the covers off some interesting stats relating to what criteria car buying and leasing customers prioritise when choosing a particular make and model.
http://team@umbrella.co.ukFortunately though, no Umbrella.co.uk contractors will have to repay any claims since April 2016.
Confusion about the wording of the Finance Bill 2016 resulted in some contractors claiming for Travel and Subsistence (T&S) expenses when they shouldn’t have. An amendment to the bill has now been applied retrospectively to April, meaning that anyone who claimed for expenses incorrectly will now have to repay the money.
We're recruiting across the board here at Umbrella Accountants and consequently I'm getting to read a lot of CV's. Some of them are clearly refined by efficient recruiters and then there are others telling me about how they spent 2 weeks on a paper round in 1983 as part of their 20 year career in accounting.
One thing that does appear on both direct CV's and those from a recruiter are those boilerplate phrases that are repeated so often they mean absolutely nothing. You know, just like the most standard one that appears in almost every CV and is in the title of this post. Others you may see far too often are "I am conscientious, hardworking and trustworthy", the amazing revelation that someone "Works well under pressure" or posesses that most rarest of skills - "can communicate at all levels".
We have a very tasty latest entry for our Umbrella Bake Off.
Daniel Bird from Accounting kept the competition strong and the office fed with his Carrot and Walnut Cake with cream cheese filling.
We have 20 staff taking part so expect more than a bakers dozen of delicious cakes over the coming months! To make sure everyone in the department takes part they have the motto “No Bakey, No Cakey!”
All at Umbrella offer their heartiest congratulations to Sarah Maurice-Jones for being chosen as Employee of the Month for May.
Sarah is an inspirational and motivating leader of the Customer Services team who has ensured that our standards of customer care have not dropped while the industry has coped with the effects of recent legislative changes.
Well done Sarah!
If the reforms go ahead, then public sector bodies and agencies would be responsible for deciding whether a contractor qualifies for IR35 restrictions. This differs from the current system where intermediaries like individual limited companies (commonly known as personal service companies) or umbrella companies decide IR35 status.
Experts believe that this will result in more public sector contractors being ‘caught out’ by IR35 legislation. Some fear that even the most independent contractors are at risk of paying more tax because of difficulties proving the absence of IR35.
This week Roxy Gannon is battling it out with her Tres Leches Cake.
“The words “tres leches” means three milks in Spanish. And true to its name, this cake is made with three different milks. This coconut version of Tres leches cake is popular in my family every year in preparation for Eid. It’s simple to bake and gets its richness from a trio of coconut, sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. A topping of coconut adds an even yummier boost of sweetness.”
We have 20 staff taking part so expect more than a bakers dozen of delicious cakes over the coming months! To make sure everyone in the department takes part they have the motto “No Bakey, No Cakey!”
See similar recipe
