US IT companies make gender discrimination payouts

A series of high-profile technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, have made huge gender discrimination payouts to female employees, but could it accelerate the shift towards equal pay in the UK?

Technology giant Google has agreed a $118 million payout to female staff who were paid less than male colleagues. The payment brings a five-year lawsuit to a close in a case that included approximately 15,500 female claimants.

The Google case followed hot on the heels of a case at Microsoft-owned Lin

Contractors helping plug skills gap

New research shows that contractors play a crucial role in the economy, helping plug a widening workforce skills gap.

The Association for Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo), however, says the flexible labour market isn’t fit for purpose.

Contractors count the cost of returning to the office

After more than two years where remote work was the norm, many contractors are being recalled to client offices at a significant personal cost.

While there are benefits to working from a client’s site, many contractors are finding it difficult to swallow at a time when prices are increasing.

Self-employed workers vulnerable to financial shocks

New research shows that many self-employed workers are highly vulnerable to financial shocks.

A survey of more than 2,000 self-employed workers in the UK found that many don’t have a reliable source of income or a safety net in case something goes wrong. 

Umbrella company cloning makes national headlines

The issue of umbrella company cloning has been covered by a national newspaper for the first time. It’s hoped the national news coverage could focus attention on an increasingly worrying issue and force Companies House and the government to act.

Earlier this week, The Mirror covered the ‘mass cloning’ of umbrella payroll companies and blamed Companies House for letting it happen.

MPs: HMRC responsible for Government’s IR35 non-compliance

An influential group of MPs has blamed HMRC for ‘widespread non-compliance’ with IR35 rules in Government departments.

A new Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report on IR35 in the public sector has concluded that HMRC rushed the implementation of reforms and didn’t give public bodies enough guidance through the process.

IR35 rules were changed in the Public Sector in 2017 and the rules were extended to the Private Sector in 2021.

How to get a higher rate of pay as a freelancer

With the cost of living going up many freelancers will be looking at ways to save money or boost their income.

One of the main benefits of working as a freelancer is that it’s easier to find additional work when you need to.

How to close your limited company

Following changes to off-payroll working rules and the end of a 12-month ‘light-touch’ enforcement period, many contractors are finding it increasingly difficult to operate ‘outside IR35’ through a limited company.

Some contractors are now at risk of being permanently locked into high tax, low benefit ‘inside IR35’ arrangements.

IR35 changes damage business growth, research finds
Editor | 12 April 2022
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One year after new IR35 rule changes were introduced in the private sector, research from the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) suggests they have harmed UK businesses.

Spring Statement: Small crumbs of comfort for contractors and umbrella workers

Rishi Sunak’s pared back Spring Statement contained only small crumbs of comfort for contractors and umbrella company workers.

A £3,000 increase in the threshold at which you start paying National Insurance (NI) contributions will help some low-earning employees. For many, however, this benefit will only slightly outweigh the simultaneous NI increase of 1.25%, and for some workers will only serve to reduce the loss.

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