The government’s Spring 2018 “Statement” - not Budget - has been timetabled by the chancellor for Tuesday March 13th 2018.The distinction that the statement is not a Budget, nor a fiscal event, was made by Philip Hammond to MPs on the Treasury Select Committee.It follows his pledge at Autumn Statement 2016 that, to make life easier for businesses and other taxpayers, there will be no further Budgets in the Spring, only the Autumn.But the March statement is still an opportunity for Mr … [Read more...]
Healthier signs for umbrella companies in the NHS
A report in Recruiter yesterday on the future use of umbrella companies in health service staffing indicates that NHS Improvement (NHSI) is taking into consideration what we and the FCSA have been saying all along: firstly, umbrella companies provide an essential service for many NHS workers, and secondly, there’s a key difference between the numerous non-compliant umbrellas that have piled into the sector and reputable, fully-compliant companies such as ePayMe."Like agencies, umbrellas have … [Read more...]
Supply meets demand: the revolutionary new way for schools to find temporary staff
ePayMe is delighted to recommend TempRocket - the new online booking service for education supply staff - to all our clients and website visitors.Using TempRocket is a clear benefit for all parties involved – agencies, teachers and schools – and we’re getting great feedback from all our contacts who have signed up with the service. Online is clearly the way to go for bookings in the temporary worker sector!To find out more or to register straight away, visit the TempRocket … [Read more...]
Helping children – with Christmas jumpers
When we heard that our friends at Prospero Teaching were taking part in this year's Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day campaign, we were only too happy to give them our support. Christmas Jumper Day - as the name suggests - is when you get to have fun by wearing your special Christmas jumper, as well as raising funds for one of the top children's charities.The official Christmas Jumper Day is next Friday, December 15th, and the ePayMe team will be vying with each other to see who has … [Read more...]
Apprenticeship numbers fall by 59% after levy imposed
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...]
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...]