Many schools in England are struggling to recruit head teachers, amid increasingly negative attitudes to the job, a report warns. It is crucial to counter negative views of headship, the Future Leaders Trust report says. More than a quarter (28%) of existing heads are planning to leave within five years, while younger heads are unwilling to take on the role, it adds. The government said it was taking steps to address the problem. The report draws on research conducted jointly with the Times … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2016
Will agencies still need umbrella companies after April 2016?
Will agencies still need umbrella companies after April 2016 – Most definitely YES, would be ePayMe’s answer……read on….. As of April 2016, many contractors working through umbrella companies will find it very difficult indeed to claim tax relief on their travel and subsistence expenses, yet, despite many suggesting that this will be the end of the umbrella company, we must not forget the vital role the umbrella company plays, in that they are crucial in supporting the flexible workforce, that … [Read more...]
Lin Homer says HMRC’s performance is getting ‘better’
HM Revenue and Customs’ performance is getting “better and better” despite one in five phone calls not being answered within six minutes, Dame Lin Homer has said. Dame Lin, who is quitting as HMRC chief executive, said that in three months to end of December 81per cent of calls were answered within six minutes, a record which she described as “improving”. However, Dame Lin’s claims were mocked by MPs who told her that members of the public were coming to them “almost in tears” because of the … [Read more...]
HMRC chief executive Lin Homer quits
The head of HM Revenue and Customs has quit with a £2.2million pension pot and a promise not to take a job in the private sector which will embarrass ministers. Dame Lin Homer, who has run HMRC since 2012, will leave in April after MPs criticised a series of failings and "abysmal" levels of customer service for members of the public. Dame Lin will not receive a pay off when she leaves HMRC when she leaves the Civil Service after a 36-year career in local and central Government. According to the … [Read more...]
School grades ‘linked to where you live’
Where children grow up in England is more likely to determine success or failure at school than in previous generations, a study suggests. The Social Market Foundation has examined test results of cohorts born in 1970 and 2000 and found regional differences have become much greater. Pupils' results are highest in London and lowest in Yorkshire and Humber. "Where you live has become much more important," said think tank director Emran Mian. The comparisons between the generations, based on school … [Read more...]
‘National crisis’ looming in teaching, unions warn
A "national crisis" in teacher numbers is looming, six unions representing teachers and school leaders in England and Wales have warned. Government limits to teachers' pay and "real terms cuts" to school budgets risk undermining standards, they warn. "Teachers need a pay rise," they urge, in a joint statement to the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB), which sets their pay. The government said it was attracting "the best and brightest" to teaching. Teachers' pay increases have been limited to 1% … [Read more...]
Government accused of downplaying tax changes
The Government is accused of downplaying the impact of tax changes that could leave nearly half a million workers at least £360 a year worse off. The construction workers’ union UCATT has seen an Inland Revenue policy document under-estimating the real impact of Chancellor George Osborne’s tax on travel expenses for workers employed by ‘umbrella companies.’ A union leader said the move shows the “utter contempt” the government has for the British worker. In an official paper released just before … [Read more...]
Teacher shortage means pupils travel to other school
Pupils in a primary school in Yorkshire will have to travel to another school for part of each day because of difficulties in recruiting a teacher. Easington Primary Academy pupils will be driven to another school for morning lessons in literacy and numeracy. The school said a long-term supply teacher had left earlier than expected and a replacement could not be found. But a Department for Education spokeswoman said there was no shortage of primary school teachers. Head teachers' organisations … [Read more...]