umbrella companies Articles

On Channel 4 Dispatches 19th January 2015 reporter Morland Sanders looked at lower paid workers in the UK. The episode was titled “Low Pay Britain”. It is available on catch-up for the next month.

editor | 13 January 2015
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It has been reported that following a successful campaign from UCATT, albeit completely inaccurate, Edwina Hart the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport has now announced that the Government in Wales will amend contracts to ensure Umbrella Companies cannot be used for new Construction Contracts.

The ongoing HMRC discussion into Travel and Subsistence for Temporary Workers working through Umbrella Companies raises the concept that is there could be a difference between a temporary worker and a contractor or freelancer and if there is should these have different tax treatment?

Yesterday 16th 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).

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

There are numerous benefits and reasons that umbrella companies exist for contractors working in the UK and it is not just that they allow contractors to benefit from tax relief for travel and subsistence costs

Yesterday (8th January 2015) Umbrella.co.uk attended an FCSA meeting and consultation with HMRC regarding the 'Employment Intermediaries: Temporary workers - Relief for subsistence and expenses proposal. 

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’

The Chancellor included Umbrella Companies in his Autumn Statement after what seemed to be as a result of a campaign from UCATT and other Trade Unions criticising Umbrella Companies.

Umbrella’s response to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement

The 2014 Chancellor’s Autumn Statement has caused quite a stir amongst umbrella companies following the inclusion of the following paragraphs within the Autumn Statement’s main documents

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