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...]
Schools in England spend £1.3bn on supply teachers
Schools in England struggling to recruit teachers are spending £1.3bn per year on supply staff, an increase of more than a quarter over two years, says the Labour Party. Shadow education secretary Lucy Powell says schools face "chronic shortages" of teachers and blamed the government for "talking down the profession". Last week head teachers warned MPs of deepening recruitment problems. The Department for Education said Labour's claims were "misleading". "The number and quality of teachers is at … [Read more...]
Heads warn MPs of teacher shortage
Schools in England face a deepening problem in recruiting enough teachers, head teachers are warning. The National Association of Head Teachers said 59% of schools advertising for teachers "struggled" to get applicants and a further 20% failed completely to appoint anyone. Russell Hobby, leader of the NAHT, said it was clear evidence of a "crisis". But the Department for Education said the number of teachers now stood "at an all-time high". Labour said it was "time the government shook … [Read more...]
Travel and subsistence expenses changes from April 2016
Following on from yesterday’s Finance Bill 2016, we now know that the Government has ignored the widespread warnings issued by industry bodies and has pushed ahead with its plans to cut travel and subsistence expenses for contractors, from April 2016, which, were as we expected. The main changes are as follows: • T&S expenses will not qualify for tax relief on “ordinary commuting” type expenses where an intermediary is involved unless the worker is not subject to (or the right of) … [Read more...]