A question for all Agencies that use Payroll Providers/Umbrella Co. etc. to payroll their workers - Would you want your workers to be contacted DIRECTLY by the Payroll Provider that you outsource to? The answer would be along these lines…. technically they could do, because under the workers overarching contract of employment that they have with the Umbrella, the Umbrella is their Employer, however, by contacting your workers directly and offering them such solutions post April 2016, this could … [Read more...]
Help stop the demise of the temporary recruitment agency sector!
Ok, ok….. this is not without issues, nor is it conclusive to the full facts. However, what I can report and bring to your attention, more so as a ‘told you so!’ There appears to be a large number of outsourced payroll companies, that seem hell bent on pushing Limited Company services (PSC, DSC or whatever you wish to call them these days) Don’t get me wrong, for the right circumstances, and the right freelance workers workload, these solutions work extremely well. However, I can’t help but … [Read more...]
Teacher shortages in England, spending watchdog confirms
Teacher shortages in England are growing and the government has missed recruitment targets for four years, the official spending watchdog has said. It means 28% of secondary physics lessons are taught by teachers with no more than an A-level in the subject, the National Audit Office report says. Ministers have a "weak understanding" of local teacher shortages, it adds. The government said overall teacher numbers had risen and blamed unions for "talking down" the profession. While the overall … [Read more...]
FCSA sets record straight as UCATT takes another swipe at umbrella companies
A report out over the weekend suggesting that workers are forced to use ‘umbrella firms’ and are losing out on pensions and pay is completely unfounded says The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA). FCSA is responding to union criticism as UCATT continues to pedal false propaganda and paint an unfair picture of umbrella firms (The Guardian, January 29th 2016). FCSA’s CEO Julia Kermode said: “Umbrella employment is a positive choice for many contractors. Many workers choose … [Read more...]
England’s largest academy chain ‘failing too many pupils’
The biggest academy chain in England has been accused by Ofsted of "failing too many pupils". Inspectors say that almost half of pupils at secondary schools run by the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) are in schools that are "less than good". Ofsted warns that poorer pupils do "particularly badly" in AET schools. In response the trust said it was disappointed that its "significant achievements" had "not been sufficiently recognised". The Department for Education is threatening that unless … [Read more...]
£80 million to boost support for special educational needs
Minister Edward Timpson announces £80 million to extend opportunities to children with special educational needs and disabilities. A multi-million pound package ensuring thousands of children with special educational needs and disability (SEND) have the same opportunities as any other child has been announced. Children and Families Minister Edward Timpson said the £80 million would help transform the life chances of children across the country and ensure every child, regardless of the challenges … [Read more...]
Schools in England struggle to recruit heads
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...]
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...]