Food shortages, petrol crisis, the last few months in the UK have been challenging for a number of Brits. A lot of the recent issues are down to a shortage of HGV drivers. It’s estimated that Britain needs an additional 100,000 drivers to ease pressures.The COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit are being blamed for the shortage of drivers. However, new research from the Road Haulage Association (RHA) reveals that recent tax changes could partly be to blame.For those that aren’t familiar with it, … [Read more...]
IR35 is coming regardless of Brexit or a General Election
Just because government are unable to sort out Brexit, this does not mean that IR35 scheduled in for April 2020 is going to be delayed. Regardless of Brexit, a General Election and possible leader change, IR35 will still be in place and actioned. There has been much mentioned recently that with a General Election and possible change in government IR35 will be shelved. This is not going to happen, according to a representative from Saffrey Champness, one of the UK's Top 20 accountancy … [Read more...]
The EU Settlement Scheme
The EU Settlement Scheme is now officially open. After a successful launch on Saturday, more than 50,000 applications were made over the weekend. This brings the total number of applications to over 280,000.Applying to the EU Settlement Scheme is completely free, and the Home Office’s aim is to make it as simple and straightforward as possible. All you need to do is complete a three-step application with a laptop, tablet or mobile device to prove your identity, confirm you live in the UK and … [Read more...]
Spring Statement 2019 and Brexit
Wednesday 13th March saw Chancellor Philip Hammond deliver his Spring Statement to Parliament. The UK economy continues to steadily grow, with unemployment at historic lows and with wages increasing; providing a solid foundation on which to build Britain’s economic future the Chancellor stated.The statement forecast that employment within the UK is due to rise to 32.7 million over the next year and steadily increase over the next 5 years. The current unemployment rate of 4.0% is the lowest … [Read more...]
Brexit News Update
For those following the Brexit news; this week those campaigning for a Second Referendum to keep the UK within the EU received boost as Jeremy Corbyn committed his party to supporting a fresh referendum.This is pertinent to the financial sector as after Brexit, the trade relationship between the UK and the EU will not be the same after the implementation period. Financial services is one of the UK’s biggest exports to the world, representing almost 10% of the UK’s total exports.If a no … [Read more...]
UK banks to check 70m bank accounts in search for illegal immigrants
Banks and building societies are to carry out immigration checks on 70m current accounts from January in the biggest extension of Theresa May’s plans to create a “hostile environment” for illegal immigrants in Britain, the Guardian has learned.The Home Office expects to identify 6,000 visa over-stayers, failed asylum seekers and foreign national offenders facing deportation in the first year of the checks, which are to be carried out quarterly.The accounts of those identified will be … [Read more...]
Moving back to a trusted umbrella service from an expensive PSC provider!
Following changes for off payroll working in the Public Sector, many contractors may have found themselves assessed as working inside IR35. Many end clients do not want the hassle of deciding each individual case and so have placed a blanket ban on all contractors. Many of these contractors cease operating through their own limited company, and opt instead for umbrella employment as their agency and end client have suggested. For a contractor working inside IR35 this is usually the better … [Read more...]
Theresa May’s Brexit plans and their impact on employment law
Theresa May’s speech was welcomed by businesses who are seeking clarity on the long term plans for Brexit. Whilst certainty was provided on certain areas, such as whether the UK will remain a member of the single market, other areas remain deliberately vague as the final position is unknown due to the need to negotiate with the European Union (EU).For many employers, the Prime Minister’s confirmation that immigration will be controlled domestically is one of the most important objectives of … [Read more...]
Call to axe recent tax reforms amid Brexit
Proposed and recently introduced tax rules in the contractor sector should be axed or amended in light of Friday’s EU referendum result, experts are warning. Chris Bryce, chief executive of IPSE, says negotiating a withdrawal from the EU is not the time for Britain to change how its public sector operates IR35, a controversial tax legislation, as it plans to do from April.“[Because] we are renegotiating our exit,” Mr Bryce said, “the government’s proposed changes to IR35 should now be … [Read more...]
The freelance & contractor workforce will be key in ensuring the UK’s economy doesn’t suffer
Whatever your view, today is undoubtedly a historic day for the UK. Here at ePayMe it will be business as usual as we continue to work to raise standards in our sector, and support and protect the flexible workforce in the UK. Leaving the EU will undoubtedly bring a period of uncertainty and we have seen significant impact on the stock market already today. There is some concern regarding sectors traditionally reliant on the migrant workforce, such as construction. However, it should be borne … [Read more...]