Zero-hour contracts have been brought to the headlines once again as Tuesday saw new rules put in place banning the exclusivity clauses for staff on zero-hour contracts, meaning employers of zero-hour contract workers can no longer prevent employees from working for another business at the same time. With the new rules brought into effect under the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill, it is thought we could see an increase in the demand for contractors working with recruitment … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2015
How will the 2015 Queen’s Speech affect workers?
With the new Government now in place, this week we heard Queen Elizabeth deliver her annual speech to Parliament presenting the Government’s legislative plans for the year ahead, to a Conservative Government for the first time in 20 years. Many of the 26 proposed new bills have already been seen in the Conservatives pre-election Manifesto. However the key question is what will affect you, the worker? • A five year freeze on Income Tax, VAT and NI • Personal allowance is due to rise, to be in … [Read more...]
Will ‘Seven-day NHS’ increase the demand for skilled agency workers?
Will ‘Seven-day NHS’ increase the demand for skilled agency workers? After the promise of a ‘Seven-day NHS’ in the Queen’s Speech this week, contractors and recruitment agents are anticipating a boost in the demand for agency health care workers within the NHS. Currently across the UK agency staff provide strong support alongside permanent health care teams to meet current demands, with the NHS spending a record £1.8 billion on agency doctors and nurses last year. Offering highly-skilled … [Read more...]
Ex-HMRC Officer sentenced in £12,000 Tax Evasion case
As the Government continue to tackle the on going issues surrounding Tax Evasion, Neil James Foster a previously dismissed Tax Officer for HMRC in County Durham, has been sentenced to eight months in prison - suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay court fees, after pleading guilty to four counts of knowingly being involved in fraudulent Tax Evasion. Contractor UK reports (follow link below) http://www.contractoruk.com/news/0012056ex_hmrc_officer_caught_12000_tax_fraud.html … [Read more...]
Temp workers in demand as employers struggle with skill shortages within the industry
After a recent survey 'JobsOutlook' by REC, it has been reported that the demand for agency workers continues to increase as businesses turn to recruitment agencies to assist in business growth, as skilled professionals become harder to find. With businesses saying that they are unable to increase their work load without additional staff, it is falling on recruitment agencies to meet the demands of skilled workers with eight in ten employers accessing the 'Key Strategic Skilled' work force … [Read more...]
Say Hello To Cath Adams ePayMe’s Payroll Manager
Recently joining the ePayMe Team, Cath Adams is at the hub of the business, processing payroll, statutory rights and expenses. Along with the rest of the Payroll team, Cath works hard to ensure that all our contractors are paid with accuracy and on time week after week. We thought, what better way to find out more about Cath, than ask her a range of bizarre questions. If you had to pick a movie that best describes your life what would it be? Cinderella, as a wife and mother I'm always clearing … [Read more...]
Osborne to present a second Budget
After the busy political movements that have taken place over the last few weeks, it appears that George Osborne will present another Budget, where we will see some of the Conservative Manifesto Pledges put in place, with the "working people" being the Tories' main focus. However we will have to wait until Wednesday 8th July to see what develops. Contractor UK Reports further - CLICK HERE TO READ MORE … [Read more...]
HMRC continue to ‘Name and Shame’
HMRC continue to 'Name and Shame' people/businesses who have deliberately made errors on their Tax returns and/or have deliberately failed to comply with their Tax obligations. In the latest quarterly publication released on 13th May, it is an Umbrella Company that is found at the top of the list with penalties in excess of £18 million. Under the Finance Act 2009 (Section 94) the Government continue’s to publish the details, any penalties imposed for the default and the amount of Tax in which … [Read more...]
What does the new Government have in store for us?
After the events of the General Election, we now begin to look at the actions that a Conservative Government wish to take over the next 5 years. Looking at the pre-election Manifesto and Budget pledges, we now have some understanding of the route Cameron is likely to take as Prime Minister and how these changes will affect the payroll and contracting sector. Tax & National Insurance It has been said that there will be NO increase in Income Tax and National Insurance. Personal Allowance … [Read more...]
Javid and Hands hired to sign off contractor policies
As Cameron begins his new term in power, the governments contractor policies are now in the hands of two former city professionals, Sajid Javid appointed as Business Secretary and Greg Hands the new Chief Secretary to the Treasury, both being educated within state schools and gaining involvement within the New York Banking sector. Assisting the Conservative Party in becoming the ‘Working People’s Party’ both have experienced a dramatic pay cut to enter the political platform, working towards … [Read more...]