This week the millionth person was granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme – just five months after the Scheme fully opened.The Home Office is committed to making the process of applying to the EU Settlement Scheme as simple and straightforward as possible and looks for reasons to grant status, not refuse it.This milestone has been announced alongside the latest application statistics for July, published today (15 August). This demonstrates the progress of the Scheme to date and we … [Read more...]
Umbrella companies: what their detractors don’t want you to know
Despite the important role that umbrella companies play in supporting contractors, providing all employment rights and ensuring tax and NICs are paid, there are numerous misunderstandings about how umbrellas work in practice.Five ‘myths,’ if you will, still doing the rounds, writes Julia Kermode, CEO of the Freelancer & Contractor Services Association.Myth 1Hidden charges!When trade unions first became aware of umbrella companies, they were concerned about the apparent … [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...]
Are Agencies taking a contractor’s earnings serious enough?
With workers becoming more and more in demand and a lack of work currently available for skilled temporary/contracted workers, there is more emphasis on the agencies to offer a better service. This is not only with their on-boarding, but also to give the worker the flexibility to be able to earn more. A happy worker will not only return, but also spread the love by recommending to fellow co-workers on their experience.This experience not only works for agencies but also from a payroll … [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...]
Have you seen our article in The Educator?
If your payroll provider is offering a deal that sounds too good to be true....... you really should have a read of our article here.Please contact us on 01252 863700 if you would like to have a conversation surrounding any aspect of your payroll. … [Read more...]
Preferred Supplier Lists
As we settle into 2019 it is time to reflect and review on how we are doing, to avoid regulatory penalties and improve our business for the coming year.Many recruitment agencies use preferred supplier lists (PSL) for umbrella companies, but how do you ensure this is followed by your workforce? There has been mention of HMRC targeting individual consultants for unpaid tax, due to direct payments made by providers.Referral incentives place consultants at risk and can leave businesses open … [Read more...]
Are you thinking of registering for the CCS Framework?
The Government will be closing its list of preferred recruitment consultants for state schools for two years – so there’s no time to lose, says Sarah Johnston, Managing Director of payroll provider ePayMeIf you provide supply teachers, then you should know all about the extension of the CCS Framework to cover the recruitment of supply teachers – but just in case you don’t, here’s a quick recap.The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) is a UK Government agency which helps public sector bodies … [Read more...]
Leading payroll solutions provider ePayMe gains Professional Passport accreditation and joins trade body APSCo
ePayMe, the leading outsourced payroll services provider for the recruitment industry, has been named an Approved Supplier by employment industry recognition scheme, Professional Passport, at the same time as becoming an affiliate member of APSCo, the international trade association for the recruitment industry.The Professional Passport accreditation scheme involves rigorous auditing of ePayMe’s service levels, in-house systems, work practices and staff training. Combined with the APSCo … [Read more...]
New HMRC Spotlight on umbrella companies ‘does not go far enough’
Umbrella companies inspiring HMRC’s new ‘Spotlight’ publication – dedicated to schemes that avoid tax – has been endorsed by payroll company bosses themselves, albeit tentatively.In fact, far from disliking brollies being in a HMRC series on abusive arrangements, Contractor Umbrella says it is “useful,” CWC Solutions deems it overdue and the FCSA said it was "welcome.”HMRC putting beyond doubt that 80, 90 or 95% take-home pay is not tax-compliant; that brollies are “never HMRC-approved”, … [Read more...]