There has been a big fall in the number of workers starting apprenticeships since the introduction of the government's apprenticeship levy earlier this year.The levy was supposed to increase the number of people training at work.But according to Department for Education figures, in the last three months of the 2017 academic year, 48,000 people began an apprenticeship.That compared with 117,000 for the same period last year.The levy was introduced to raise £2.5bn a year for … [Read more...]
Archives for November 2017
Autumn Budget 2017: Hammond moves to extend IR35 reforms
A consultation for the much-feared extension of the April IR35 reforms to the private sector was put in place earlier today, when Philip Hammond delivered Autumn Budget 2017.In a move that experts say could hit contracting more than the introduction of IR35 itself, the chancellor said he would consult on the "possible next step" of rolling out the reforms to cover all PSC engagements."How to tackle non-compliance in the private sector, drawing on the experience of the public sector … [Read more...]
Autumn 2017 Budget update
Thanks to Julia Kermode, Chief Executive of the FCSA (Freelancer & Contractor Services Association), for this concise summary of the Chancellor's 2017 Autumn Budget Statement. In the event, there was less news relating to the payroll/recruitment agency/contractor sector than many had anticipated. IR35 reform in the private sector Surprisingly the Chancellor’s speech did not mention IR35 or off-payroll at all so we were left to establish their plans from the red book. Here the Chancellor … [Read more...]
Weathering the storm
Julia Kermode, CEO at Freelancer & Contractor Services Association on why umbrellas should continue.A storm of negative media coverage has enveloped umbrella companies over the last few years and the political environment for umbrellas still presents our sector with many challenges. The right, the left and the unions in between have all got something to say about umbrellas but it was pleasing to hear Matthew Taylor come out and support umbrellas with a balanced view when he published his … [Read more...]
Who are the UK’s self employed? New research sheds light on those working solo
Eight of the nine segments of self-employed people, who employ no one, say they are as satisfied, or more satisfied, than employees doing a similar jobNew research from the Centre for Research on Self-Employment (CRSE), in conjunction with the Institute for Employment Studies (IES), has revealed the make-up of the UK’s self-employed community.The report, which has identified nine distinct segments which divide the UK’s broad solo self-employed population, has revealed that those who work … [Read more...]
Has HMRC’s blinkered approach changed the NHS forever?
NHS survey: patient care services in crisis as IR35 reforms take their tollPatient care standards in NHS departments are deteriorating rapidly as a direct result of the public sector IR35 reforms. A survey of 450 healthcare locums by ContractorCalculator and the Independent Health Professionals Association (IHPA) shows the NHS is failing to replace critical contract workers who have been forced out of the sector due to IR35 and questionable compliance procedures.25% of respondents have … [Read more...]
Tunnel vision leaves Chancellor on brink of disastrous IR35 decision, warns IPSE
The Chancellor has less than a month to amend his blinkered view of the public sector IR35 reforms and avoid making a grave mistake by extending them to the private sector in the Autumn Budget.This is according to Chris Bryce, chief executive of the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed (IPSE), who has spoken out after concerning reports that changes to IR35 in the private sector could be imminent.“It’s something that we suspected and feared was coming, and we’re … [Read more...]