umbrella contractors Articles

When you work for yourself and you only get paid for the time you work, it can be difficult to switch off from work.

Banks to Block IR35 Contractors After IR35 Changes
marketing | 7 October 2019
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UK banks Barclays and Lloyds appear to have followed the example set by HSBC and others by blocking the engagement of limited company contractors when private sector IR35 reforms take effect.

A letter sent by Barclays to contractors suggests that the bank will stop using personal service company (PSC) contractors and tax all contractors in the same way as salaried employees.

Umbrella contractors, High paid contractors, Umbrella working, FCSA, Umbrella vs Limited company,

New research from the Freelancer and Contractor Service Association (FCSA) shows that umbrella working is being adopted by more and more high-end professionals in a range of sectors.

The research, which compares umbrella working in 2015 and 2017, also found that umbrella employees are enjoying better rates of pay and longer, more stable assignments.

In 2017, the FCSA found that 73% of umbrella workers were earning more than £15 per hour, compared with 53% in 2015.

The average length of an assignment more than doubled in two years from 14 weeks in 2015 to 29 weeks this year. The average length of employment with the umbrella company also increased from 30 weeks to 46 weeks. 

Midnight on July 31 is the deadline for making your second ‘payment on account’ to HMRC.
If you are self-employed or you own a business and you think that you have to make an advance ‘payment on account’ for this current tax year then this is your last chance to pay before you receive a fine.

Government’s Meek Response to Lords IR35 Report

HMRC and the Treasury have published a weak response to a damning House of Lords committee report on off-payroll (IR35) working rules. 

Industry commentators said that while the response acknowledged many of the issues facing limited company contractors, they failed to propose any proactive solutions. 

Contractor Umbrella Usages Expected to Soar in 2020

An overwhelming majority of recruiters expect umbrella company usage to soar in response to IR35 changes coming to the private sector.

A survey from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) found that 91% of professional recruiters thought that more contractors would shun Personal Service Companies (PSCs) in favour of umbrella arrangements due to the new IR35 rules which take effect in April 2020.

 

Umbrella Grenfell tower cake sale

The staff at Umbrella.co.uk have generously baked and donated goodies for our cake sale today.

All the money raised will be donated to those affected by the Grenfell Tower Fire.

Our array of home baked goodies varied from Coconut Tres Leches, Victoria Sponge cake, chocolate cake, lemon drizzle cake to a huge selection of cookies and cupcakes.

We would like to thank all our staff and visitors today for their support and generosity.