The coronavirus pandemic has significantly impacted the world, and especially the UK’s temporary workforce. However, while it may be tempting to choose an umbrella that’s offering inflated pay retention, its crucial contractors, freelancers and agency workers choose a compliant umbrella company for their payroll. Keep reading, and we’ll explain 10 …

10 reasons to choose a compliant umbrella company » Read the full story

If you’re new to umbrella companies, there is a lot of information to take on board. However, you’ve come to the right place, because the umbrellacompanies.org.uk website is full of useful umbrella company advice! Keep reading, and we’ll summarise ten key pieces of umbrella company advice for contractors, freelancers and …

10 pieces of useful umbrella company advice for contractors » Read the full story

Professional Passport, payroll intermediary compliance specialists, has released a thorough report on umbrella companies. In the 38-page document, Crawford Temple, CEO at Professional Passport, outlines the industry’s legislation for 40 years. He then provides a series of suggestions to HMRC on how to regulate umbrella companies and stop non-compliance. It’s …

Professional Passport release report on umbrella companies: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly » Read the full story

We’ve noticed a lot of contractors moaning about their umbrella company because of pay retention. Nobody wants to lose large chunks of their income in taxes, but unfortunately, we all have to contribute to society. It’s not the umbrella company’s fault you’re inside IR35, and we’ll explain more in this …

It’s not the umbrella company’s fault you’re inside IR35! » Read the full story

The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) has suggested that HMRC set up a dedicated umbrella company hotline to report non-compliance, unethical behaviour, and malpractice. What a jolly good idea! Keep reading and find out more. Non-compliant umbrella companies must be reported If you ever come across a non-compliant umbrella company, …

REC calls for HMRC to set up dedicated umbrella company hotline to easily report malpractice » Read the full story

Shock! Umbrella companies are in the news again. It’s mightily frustrating to read that some umbrellas out there completely disregard the rules and put their employees at risk of non-compliance. Now seems the perfect opportunity to reassure our readers that most UK-based umbrella companies are compliant and provide a pretty …

The truth about umbrella companies in 2021 » Read the full story

Non-compliant umbrella companies are causing havoc in the industry. However, it’s worth remembering that compliant umbrella companies help the government and don’t contribute towards lost tax. Please keep reading, and we’ll explain what we mean. We also look at the difference between compliant and non-compliant umbrella companies. Helping contractors pay …

Compliant umbrellas help the government and don’t contribute towards lost tax » Read the full story

We’re grateful to have some friends within the umbrella company marketplace who are well-positioned to share valuable experiences with our readers. We’re surprised to hear the number of contractors who complain to umbrella companies about their take-home pay and how other umbrella companies are quoting them more. Some temporary workers …

Greedy contractors could be fueling tax avoidance schemes » Read the full story

In recent news, the umbrella company industry has come under fire, and there are calls for umbrella companies to be regulated. This article looks at why there is a demand for umbrella companies to be regulated. We also suggest what we would like to see in terms of regulating the …

Should umbrella companies be regulated? » Read the full story

We have been made aware of an umbrella company offering contractors dividend payments to increase their pay retention. We’re not here to name names, and we’re not here to scaremonger. However, we are here to educate our readers and help contractors, freelancers, and temporary workers make well-informed decisions regarding their …

An umbrellacompanies.org.uk reader shares new non-compliant umbrella company arrangement with us » Read the full story

Yet again, a new umbrella company fraud case has come to light, and it’s extremely disappointing. This time, greedy agencies are engaging with min umbrella companies to reduce their costs, while putting their candidates at risk of non-compliance with HMRC. It’s never been more important to use a compliant umbrella …

Which umbrella companies are accredited by the FCSA and Professional Passport? » Read the full story

Mini umbrella companies have hit the news again as it’s become apparent that some dishonest and greedy recruitment agencies have engaged with them to pay their temporary candidates. Astonishingly, a BBC investigation found that mini umbrella companies were paying some Covid test centre workers. These pose a serious threat to …

Mini umbrella companies strike again » Read the full story

The government has released some guidance online designed to help contractors, freelancers and agency workers who may require the services of an umbrella company. ‘Working through an umbrella company’ is a short piece of text (estimate 5-minute read) that will help cover the basics of umbrella payroll and provides you …

Official government guidance: Working through an umbrella company » Read the full story

Before this article, we wrote a short piece about the advantages of using umbrella companies. Now, we wanted to look at the other side and write another blog – this time focusing on the disadvantages of using an umbrella company. Keep reading to find out more. Not the most tax-efficient …

What are the disadvantages of using an umbrella company? » Read the full story

In this short article, we’re going to highlight some of the key benefits of using an umbrella company for your payroll. Umbrella companies are often unfairly scrutinised, so we wanted to clarify to our readers that there are plenty of advantages to using them. Keep reading to find out more. …

What are the benefits of using an umbrella company? » Read the full story

As umbrella companies experience demand like never before, we wanted to create an easy-to-understand guide for contractors, freelancers and agency workers. Umbrella companies are pretty straightforward once you get your head around them. However, first-time umbrella company users are almost certainly going to have numerous questions about how they work. …

Check out our free umbrella company guide written for contractors, freelancers and agency workers » Read the full story

Umbrella companies are often portrayed negatively by third party organisations who have a vendetta against the government for implementing changes to off-payroll legislation. As a result, umbrella companies are frequently being made a scapegoat. Don’t believe everything you read. Here are eleven facts about umbrella companies. They operate PAYE Compliant …

Don’t believe umbrella company bad press – 11 facts about umbrella companies » Read the full story

Thankfully, most UK-based umbrella companies are compliant with HMRC rules and regulations and have their employees’ best interests at heart. However, a few let down the industry and operate non-compliantly. Here is how to report a non-compliant umbrella company to the UK’s leading professional bodies (the FCSA and Professional Passport) …

How to report a non-compliant umbrella company » Read the full story

Amazingly, there are over 500 umbrella companies in the UK. Therefore, there is plenty of choice for contractors and freelancers when choosing a company for their payroll. However, if you find a better deal elsewhere, or your current umbrella company is performing disappointingly, should you bother switching umbrella companies? We’ll …

Should you bother switching umbrella companies? » Read the full story

We recently wrote an article about the Labour Market Intermediaries report by the LITRG. The report includes some essential information on disguised remuneration, and we wanted to focus an article on this topic for the benefit of our readers. Keep reading to find out more about disguised remuneration and the associated …

A quick look at disguised remuneration » Read the full story

The integrity of umbrella companies has again been brought into question by third party stakeholders who are not impressed with the industry’s state. Most recently, it’s alleged an FCSA accredited umbrella company has been withholding accrued holiday pay from their employees and keeping it for themselves. We don’t know the …

Accrued holiday pay – how umbrella companies should pay it to contractors » Read the full story

As the countdown for off-payroll changes in the private sector draws ever closer, the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG), part of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, has released a 149-page report covering umbrella companies. The report makes for some interesting reading, and we recommend our readers take a look. …

Labour Market Intermediaries: LITRG publish 149-page report on umbrella companies » Read the full story

If you find yourself inside IR35, you may decide that the best option for your payroll is an umbrella company – and you’d probably be right. However, you must understand how umbrella companies work, and how IR35 legislation is changing the way contractors are being paid. Keep reading and discover …

Using an umbrella company when inside IR35 » Read the full story

Due to upcoming legislation changes, more and more contractors are considering using an umbrella company for their payroll. However, is it worth your time requesting multiple umbrella company calculations? Keep reading and find out more. Background to umbrella companies Umbrella companies are an excellent payroll choice for contractors who find …

Is it worth your time requesting multiple umbrella company calculations? » Read the full story

There has been a noticeable rise in demand for umbrella companies – especially since HMRC introduced changes to off-payroll in the public sector (IR35) in 2017. Now that similar changes are coming to the private sector, umbrella companies have never been in such high demand! If you’re new to umbrella …

Is it easy to join an umbrella company? » Read the full story

Before completing the registration process, it’s a good idea to write a list of questions to ask your umbrella company. If you’re happy with their responses, you should have nothing to worry about and can move forward with confidence. However, if you have concerns – shop around and use another …

8 useful questions to ask your umbrella company » Read the full story

One of the benefits of using an umbrella company is the free insurance cover that is included. In many cases, contractors must be insured, or else their end-hirer won’t allow them to work on an assignment. We discuss the most common umbrella company insurance policies that are included when you …

Umbrella Company Insurance: What Is Included When You Register? » Read the full story

As more and more contractors shop around the umbrella company market looking for a payroll provider, we wanted to help out and share our knowledge on umbrella company special offers. Some umbrellas are offering excellent, legitimate deals for new clients. However, others are deliberately being misleading and unethical in their …

How to identify genuine umbrella company special offers » Read the full story

Umbrella companies are growing in demand as a result of the impending changes to off-payroll in the private sector (IR35) legislation. However, thousands of contractors who are used to contracting through a personal service company may be asking ‘why use an umbrella company?’ The following tips should help. Easy alternative …

Why use an umbrella company? » Read the full story

If you take on an assignment inside IR35, you may decide that you’re better off using an umbrella company for your payroll. After all, if you’re a limited company contractor– you won’t be able to pay yourself with a combination of dividends and salary because the fee-payer will make deductions …

The Umbrella Company Checklist For Contractors Inside IR35 » Read the full story

The answer to this question depends on quite a few circumstances, but in theory – yes. It should be easy for contractors to switch between a limited company and umbrella company. With off-payroll in the private sector (IR35) changes coming into effect from April 2021, we expect several limited company …

Is it easy to switch between a limited company and umbrella company? » Read the full story

Supervision, Direction and Control (SDC) came into effect on 6th April 2016 to limit the number of contractors who were able to claim travel and subsistence expenses. The legislation was introduced because HMRC believed that many contractors working through umbrella companies were taking advantage of tax relief – when they …

What is Supervision, Direction and Control? » Read the full story

When you’re paid through an umbrella company, you’ll receive a payslip that’ll show similar deductions to an employee in a permanent position. However, there are a few key differences that you need to be aware of. Keep reading and we’ll explain what deductions appear on an umbrella company payslip. Margin …

What deductions appear on umbrella company payslips? » Read the full story

There are plenty of ways employees can benefit from salary sacrifice, but the most popular is tax-efficient pension contributions. If you’re prioritising your pension – salary sacrifice may be an awesome way to boost your pot. And, there are some really useful tax-benefits that you may not be aware of. …

Do umbrella companies offer salary sacrifice? » Read the full story

Before you begin contracting, one of the first things you need to consider is which business structure you are better suited to. From what everybody ought to know about umbrella companies to the advantages and disadvantages of umbrella companies – we have it all on our website! But what about …

What are the umbrella company alternatives? » Read the full story

If your contracts are deemed inside IR35 and you work through a recruitment agency, you’ll probably be given two options for getting paid: umbrella company or agency PAYE. Both payment methods operate in a very similar way. Your payroll and administration will be taken care of – and your income …

Umbrella Company v Agency PAYE: Which should you choose? » Read the full story

If you’re contracting with a personal service company (PSC) in the private sector, you should be familiar with Status Determination Statements (SDS). However, if you’re not, we’ll provide a quick snapshot for you. After all, we’re not just here to advise contractors looking at umbrella companies! We want to assist …

Are you familiar with Status Determination Statements (SDS)? » Read the full story

To help people cope with the pressure of the pandemic and the confusions it’s bought to the UK, HMRC has confirmed taxpayers now have until the 28 February 2021 to submit their 2019/20 tax returns – to avoid a penalty. However, it’s still advisable to meet the end of January …

Late self-assessment tax returns will avoid fine if submitted by 28 February, HMRC confirms » Read the full story

There are masses of umbrella companies out there! With so many to choose from, how do you know which one is best? We recommend you look for an FCSA accredited umbrella and then make your decision from there. It’s a great way to start your search. But you may be …

What are the benefits of using an FCSA accredited umbrella company? » Read the full story

If you’re interested in using a contractor umbrella company for your payroll, but aren’t sure how they work, you’ve found the right article! Here are 10 facts about umbrella companies. How many of the following were you already aware of? Firstly, we must make it clear – the following facts …

10 facts about using a contractor umbrella company » Read the full story

Brexit has finally happened and the UK left the European Union at the turn of the New Year. As a result, we thought an article on How Brexit Affects Right to Work (RTW) Checks for Umbrella Companies would come in really useful. Umbrella companies are employers, and like every employer …

How Brexit Affects Right to Work (RTW) Checks for Umbrella Companies » Read the full story

Nobody wanted a third lockdown, but after the rising numbers of coronavirus cases and associated deaths, the government was left with very little choice. And, to the governments credit, they have provided several support packages for businesses and workers to help keep the impact of lockdown number three to a …

The FCSA fights for contingent workers in response to lockdown #3 » Read the full story

Our website is full of useful information to help contractors and freelancers identify the UK’s best umbrella companies. However, we haven’t dedicated an article that explains how to identify the worst umbrella companies. Therefore, we’ve collated 9 points that we think you need to be aware of. Whatever you do …

How to identify the worst umbrella companies in the marketplace » Read the full story

With upcoming changes to off-payroll legislation looming, more and more contractors and freelancers are likely to require an umbrella company’s services. However, with hundreds of providers in the UK, what should you look for from an umbrella company in 2021? Keep reading, and we’ll explain the most important factors to …

What to look for from an umbrella company in 2021 » Read the full story

Throughout our website, we reiterate how important it is that contractors and freelancers only use compliant umbrella companies for their payroll. And, we frequently mention that using an FCSA accredited umbrella company is a great idea! But who is the FCSA (Freelancer & Contractor Services Association), and why are we …

Who is the FCSA, and why does FCSA accreditation mean so much to its members? » Read the full story

If you’re using an umbrella company for your payroll, or you’re considering it, you should already know what Pay as You Earn (PAYE) is. However, if you’re not, or you’d like a friendly reminder – keep reading! We’ll cover the basics. What is PAYE? Pay as You Earn, or usually …

What is Pay as You Earn (PAYE)? » Read the full story

Time and time again we hear “why is my umbrella taking so much of my money” or “my pay is too low through this umbrella, I want to find out what I can get through another one”. Sadly this is a misunderstanding, and tax avoidance schemes are to blame. They …

Your Umbrella Company Does Not Decide How Much You Are Deducted – HMRC Does » Read the full story

Using an umbrella company is a simple, hassle-free way to get paid as a contractor, and the majority of umbrella companies operate in a compliant fashion. Unfortunately, there are a few unscrupulous tax avoidance schemes that disguise themselves as umbrella companies, and using one of these could land you in …

The warning signs of a tax avoidance scheme » Read the full story

Changes to off-payroll in the private sector are set to roll out in April 2021. They may be a year late, but they’re coming! It’s expected that several limited company contractors may find themselves inside IR35 at some point in the future, and as a result, umbrella companies may see …

Useful tips for limited company contractors who may need to use an umbrella company in 2021 » Read the full story

We all like to get a return on our investments – a return that leaves us with the satisfying feeling of having received value for money. But what about umbrella companies? It’s no secret that limited company contractors who are told they’re inside IR35 are likely to see a reduction …

Are there any benefits to using an umbrella company? » Read the full story

A majority of umbrella companies are compliant, but it only takes one or two non-compliant providers to come to light to give the marketplace a bad name. Well, it’s happened again. And it’s really annoyed us. We’re not going to announce the names of the irresponsible providers that are responsible, …

“Mini umbrella companies” (MUC) are the latest thing to try and give the marketplace a bad name » Read the full story

Contracting through a limited company has many benefits, with the most obvious being the tax advantages for those who are outside IR35. However, using an umbrella company has its advantages too! We’re going to investigate both options so that we can help you decide which one is best for your …

Limited vs umbrella: which option should you choose? » Read the full story

A report published on the 26th November 2020 by HMRC discusses marketed tax avoidance schemes, and it makes for some fascinating reading. Entitled ‘Use of marketed tax avoidance schemes in the UK’, HMRC cover the size of the UK’s tax avoidance market, promoters of tax avoidance schemes, and what HMRC …

HMRC issue warning in new corporate report covering marketed tax avoidance schemes – “please be vigilant” » Read the full story

Changes to off-payroll in the private sector were scheduled to roll out in April 2020. However, after one of the most stressful and unpredictable years of all time, the amendments were put on hold for 12 months (Coronavirus pandemic). Despite a few rumours that the legislation changes will be postponed …

What do changes to off-payroll (IR35) in the private sector mean for limited company contractors? » Read the full story

Whether you’re new to contracting or you’ve been doing it for donkey’s years, you’re probably keen to get an accurate indication of your take home pay before starting an assignment. And, as we’re dedicated to helping the UK’s temporary workforce understand all-things umbrella – we thought it’d be really useful …

Getting the most out of an umbrella company calculator » Read the full story

If you are a director of your own limited company, you will probably be used to claiming tax relief on a variety of business-related expenses. While this used to be the case for umbrella company employees, the rules have recently tightened around umbrella company expenses, and the tax relief you …

A Quick Guide to Umbrella Company Expenses » Read the full story

The following editorial has been written for umbrellacompanies.org.uk by Umbrella Company UK – an FCSA accredited umbrella company. Umbrella company deductions are single handily the cause for most confusion to contractors and freelancers – and it’s no surprise. While using an umbrella company is very similar to permanent employment (PAYE), …

Understanding Umbrella Company Deductions [Sponsored Editorial] » Read the full story

An interesting question – and one that is regularly asked online by umbrella company employees. The short answer is that it depends entirely on your personal circumstances. If your only source of income is paid to you via an umbrella company (PAYE) – you don’t need to submit a personal …

If you use an umbrella company, do you need to submit a personal tax return? » Read the full story

Do you fancy yourself as a bit of a Sherlock Holmes when it comes to identifying a deal? We certainly don’t blame you if you do! When it comes to looking for an umbrella company, we suggest you make a real effort comparing the providers out there. We’ve put a …

The right way to conduct an umbrella company comparison » Read the full story

One of the most frequently asked questions by contractors and freelancers before they register with an umbrella company is how much they will get paid? We thought we’d answer this question in a simple and straightforward way so you can easily understand the umbrella company take home pay. The margin …

Understanding umbrella company take home pay » Read the full story

If you are new to the world of contracting, there are lots of different options to consider. Arguably the most critical decision is whether to set up your own limited company or work through an umbrella company. With the legislation changes to off-payroll working in the private sector just around …

Umbrella company benefits – 10 reasons why using a brolly is a good idea! » Read the full story

Everyone likes a bargain! As a result, you should absolutely look for an attractive deal from an umbrella company. After all – the umbrella market is pretty competitive due to the rising number of providers. And as a result, there are some super offers out there! Keep reading and we’ll …

How to properly shop around for an umbrella company deal » Read the full story

If you are new to contracting, have never used an umbrella company before, or are a director of a limited company, the workings of umbrella payroll may seem confusing. Working through an umbrella company is by far the easiest way to operate as a contractor. Unlike working through a limited …

How do umbrella companies work? » Read the full story

In a world where more and more contractors are finding themselves inside IR35, umbrella companies have seen a rapid rise in popularity. Well, maybe popularity isn’t the right word to use. Why? Because we’ve seen so many negative comments and articles about umbrella companies over the recent months. As a …

Umbrella companies are not the bad guys! » Read the full story

We are not here to antagonise anyone, especially umbrella companies that are committed to operating compliantly. However, we recently came across an article that grabbed our attention – for the wrong reasons. The article in question suggests that a margin up to £30 per week for an umbrella company is …

£30 a week for an umbrella company margin? No thanks! » Read the full story

Can you trust an umbrella company calculation? ‘Umbrella company calculation’ is a much-searched phrase by contractors and freelancers in the UK. And it’s no surprise. Whether you’ve been contracting for years, or you’re relatively new on the scene, it’s only natural that you want to get an idea of your …

Can you trust an umbrella company calculation? » Read the full story

Umbrella company holiday pay can confuse contractors and freelancers, and this doesn’t surprise us. Umbrella company holiday pay is slightly unusual, but don’t worry – it’s not as confusing as you think. Whether you’re new to contracting, unsure how umbrella companies work, or just want a friendly reminder – we’ll …

How does Holiday Pay work with an umbrella company? » Read the full story

Off-payroll in the public sector came into effect a few years ago now, and the impact on the temporary workforce has been massive. Hats off to all the public sector organisations that took the legislation seriously and had reliable and efficient IR35 assessment protocols in place. Unfortunately, loads of companies …

Hopefully a fair world awaits contractors after April 2021 » Read the full story

This week when speaking to a contractor, I got told: “your lot are finished, HMRC have seen to that.” Quite who my “lot” are, or how we have offended this gentleman – I don’t know. However, this did encourage me to go and do some research into what this chap …

Umbrella companies aren’t finished yet – according to HMRC » Read the full story

To put it bluntly – tax avoidance schemes are evil. They trick you into thinking paying less tax is fine and they’ll help you retain more of your hard-earned money. But what they fail to mention is the fact that if you engage with one, you’ll more than likely face …

How to spot a tax avoidance scheme, and why you should never use one » Read the full story

Under new employment legislation, recruitment agencies will present contractors and agency workers with a Key Information Document before a contract is signed or agreed. The Key Information Document will give you a realistic take home pay projection and outline the deductions you can expect to see to your pay. The …

What is a Key Information Document? » Read the full story

Some weeks, here at UCHQ, while we spend far more time than we should wondering exactly what the intern does, we also spend a good deal of time wondering how the umbrella company industry managed to get itself into such a mess. The tales of the umbrella companies of old, …

Why a Good Umbrella Won’t Stop You Paying Tax » Read the full story

It’s been a rough year for contractors. As we have previously reported here, the industry is showing signs of recession, not made any easier by the still-lingering threats from IR35 and a nation of new work-from-homers. But there is some good news. Some of you have already got some key …

Job Skills to Have in the Post-Covid Era » Read the full story

This week here at UCHQ, life is returning to something approaching normality. The intern is back to wasting time on social media, the old ‘umbrella’ jokes keep flowing, and we ponder what autumn will bring, besides a renewed need for actual umbrellas.   There seems to be something of a …

Disguised Renumeration and Spies in the Grass » Read the full story

It seems the lockdown dreams of the life of a freelancer were cut short for many self-employed during lockdown. It has been reported by the ONS (Office for National Statistics) that over a quarter of a million self-employed workers returned to full time employment during the COVID crisis, we assume …

Is the Self-Employed Dream Ending? » Read the full story

Yes, more news this week as those further details that we were promised back at the start of July about what was going to happen with the Job Retention Bonus Scheme Payments has finally been announced by the UK government.   As discussed in an earlier post, we were not …

More news on the Job Retention Bonus Scheme » Read the full story

This week sees more people than ever back at work. In theory anyway. Today was the day that the great British public were meant to be back at work – office workers included, but that isn’t what has happened.   Public transport remains far emptier than usual, famous landmarks in …

Back to work (for some) » Read the full story

While life appears to be returning to something approaching reality, the view ahead is not quite so cheery.

As the weeks go on here at UCHQ, the world is starting to return to normal for us, thankfully. We are all back in our socially distanced office (although we could just call that ‘the office’ – it wasn’t like we were that close to start with). The intern is …

Umbrella Windfalls » Read the full story

Another week, another COVID-related budget update from the chancellor, Rishi Sunak. And, as the sun is shining, the forecast is that umbrellas may not be needed. (Well. One kind, anyway). Umbrella companies are still definitely needed for all those contractors who would be financially worse off without them. In his …

Sun’s out – who needs an umbrella? » Read the full story

Another week, another sting in the tail for some contractors who are using umbrella companies. If it wasn’t bad enough that many contractors felt they had no choice but to move to an umbrella company, from a limited company because of the imminent (and now deferred) IR35 legislation, those self-same …

Got Furlough? August Changes Incoming » Read the full story

As if people haven’t had enough to deal with these past few months, news reaches us here at UCHQ that Umbrella Companies are, once again, finding themselves in the news for all the wrong reasons. This time it is a group of Umbrella Companies who have been deliberately targeting NHS …

Cowboys and Covid-19 » Read the full story

Yes, despite being months into lockdown, news reaches us here at UCHQ that for many of you, you are still not seeing any money coming in from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, despite being unable to work for some months now. While any clarity from the government about exactly how …

Furloughed? Or Not? It’s Still All Up in the Air » Read the full story

Yes, we’ve been gone for a little while, but just for some essential work on bigger things at UCHQ, such as furloughing the intern and the rest of the team.

In a week where there is clearly a dire need for umbrellas (of any colour) outside, we thought we’d turn our attention away from the never-ending will they/won’t they saga of IR35 and instead, turn our attention back to the matter of whether or not umbrella companies should be regulated. …

Should Umbrella Companies be Regulated? » Read the full story

Breaking news here from our intern, who, rather than focusing on researching and writing about tax affairs and business administration is, as always more concerned with the fashion world, who tells us that last week, Coleen Rooney was spotted last week in Alderley Edge with an umbrella costing a whopping £185.

It’s been a disappointing start to the year here at UCHQ. Not only is the intern still performing abysmally and is more concerned with her social media and planning her holidays than doing any actual work, but we are saddened to hear that the forthcoming review into any potential changes …

IR35 Changes off the Table » Read the full story

January already! Well, didn’t Christmas just fly by in a heady daze of socials and locals and too much time with friends, family and a box of Quality Street? To be honest, we’re quite glad to be back in the office and the regular cut and thrust of high paced …

Tax Doesn’t Have to be… Fattening? » Read the full story

As we reach the passing of another year, another decade, no less, we reach that fiddly time of year, where we’re not quite ready to get back to work, all cylinders firing, full of gusto for the new year ahead, and, instead, spend the week in quiet reflection of things …

Another year comes to an end… » Read the full story

Well, it’s that time of year, folks. Our Christmas party is later on today, the intern is spending all her time online shopping and trying to decide what she’s wearing (and probably which of the boys in accounts she’s going to snog), and generally avoiding any actual work (no change …

UCHQ Carol Service » Read the full story

A new study has found that 24% of recruiters do not feel fully confident with the umbrella companies they use. Meanwhile, 35% of them do not have a preferred list of umbrella companies to choose from, the study finds. So, that’s nearly one-quarter of them who don’t really back the company …

UK Recruiters not Confident with Umbrella Companies » Read the full story

We are all still reeling here at UCHQ with the news that Uber has lost its London license. The next General Election is imminent, with all three parties vowing to crack down on zero-hours contracts and unfair working practices for self-employed workers. (Let’s see if any of them actually mean …

Big changes in the Gig Economy » Read the full story

Uber’s loss of its London license may be particularly impactful on the gig economy. With 45,000 drivers, if it can’t work a way to get out of losing its license, that’s a lot of newly unemployed with nowhere to go. Will politicians let that happen, when the unemployment figure is going to reflect on a newly formed government?

While we all love the idea of not being chained to our desks here at UCHQ as much as the next person, especially given that you have a very clear insight into our lives here, spent writing about how great freelance life is, and the prospect of not having to …

Young, gifted, freelancing and broke? » Read the full story

Self employed? Working alone or in a small business? We kind of envy you. While of course, we relish our days here at UCHQ, the daily commute and the minutiae of being news desk boss at such an esteemed publication, it isn’t all fun and games. The job comes with …

Top Cities for Small Businesses Revealed » Read the full story

So, you may have noticed that we’ve not written much about the new intern these past few weeks here at UCHQ. She’s still here, leaving on the dot of 5 o’clock and pretending to research things on her phone (coincidentally, we’re not on Instagram, where we spot her frequently browsing). …

Freelancing – a Den of Inequality and Exploitation? » Read the full story

News is reaching us here at a rainy UCHQ that the Government may be set for a few more fireworks than even Guy Fawkes managed way back in 1605. Voice of many, Contractor UK, has summoned the troops in the form of a group of other contractor allies, and has …

Another Month, Another IR35 Twist in the Tail » Read the full story

As autumn chills start permeating the air and we gaze outside, wondering if this really will be a winter of discontent, or simply yet another winter of I’m A Celebrity with a nice glass of red, the world, my friends, is changing.

As you may recall, we have a new intern at UCHQ.

In terms of her education, the going has been decidedly slow.

I found her the other day, browsing the hashtag #umbrella on Instagram. “These purple ones look nice, don’t they, Ed?”

I felt my blood pressure rising. “Have you looked into IR35 yet?” I asked.

All change here at UCHQ, we’re training up the new intern on the importance of umbrella companies…

In the State of California one thing they need is the humble taxi. It takes movie stars from their million dollar mansions to the Hollywood sets, as an example.

This is boom time for self employment in the UK. Around 5 million people work for themselves, with many more planning to quit their job.

“Rain, rain, go away, come back another day,” said the frustrated self employed worker who was tired of putting their umbrella up and down.

It has been all over the news for years…the upcoming explosion of Making Tax Digital in the self employed community.

Did you think being self employed was a young persons game? Then think again, because a new report suggests otherwise.

The gig economy has received much negative press in recent years. Despite this, it continues to go from strength to strength.

Being accepted for a self employed mortgage is tough. I think we can all agree on that, can we? Good. So we are now on the same page, You and I.

If you are a self employed cleaner then you may be working as a contractor, freelancer, or gig worker. Low pay is common.

It’s raining tax…so grab your umbrellas because we are in for a real storm, and guess who is behind this? Yes, you guessed it…

If the government offered you a minimum of 16 Euros an hour to be self employed, would you accept it?

So I was sitting here at the UC desk with that Rihanna song playing on the radio (can’t remember the name) and then a report lands on my desk.

75% of self employed people in the UK are fearful about getting a self employed mortgage. They fear being declined.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) is cracking the whip at the forefront of this gig economy revolution. But humans are still benefiting.

There has never been a better time to be self employed in Scotland. If you are a contractor, freelancer, gig worker, or business owner…

If you live in Ireland and your business is failing…then don’t worry…because you can now sign up for the dole and get 203 Euros a week.

Despite me writing about self employed pensions here on the UC blog many times…the message is not getting across it seems.

“We are here to collect payment or remove goods. Your choice.” said the bailiff.

“I am a slashie,” said the self employed woman. “I am self employed chef – slash – blogger – slash – dog walker,” she went on to add.

If you are a regular reader of the UC Blog then you will be well aware of the BBC freelance saga. We talk about it all the time.

You are self employed and you are raking in the cash…to the tune of £57,546 a year. “Life is good,” you say.

It was feared self employed electricians were hitting a slump. Pay was down in January, and February was not looking bright.

You got to fight, for your right…to be self employed and pregnant and still get paid. That is the message from Loose Women presenter Stacy Solomon.

If you are self employed and struggling to get a mortgage then you are not alone. In fact, there are 670,000 of you who feel “discriminated against.”

You’ve heard us talk about MIF on the UC blog before. Stay away from MIF we told everyone. MIF is no good, we went on to add.

Umbrellas are very popular in Scotland. “It rains a lot.” Umbrella Companies are not so popular, but we do have a small but loyal following.

If you are self employed and aged between 25 and 40, then get ready for a shock, because you might be working for longer than you think.

The Umbrella Companies website is truly international. Every day we get visitors from all over the world.

There is a new HMRC VIP line reserved for the rich and famous. If you qualify, then you jump the queue and get right through.

The field service tech industry has long been traditional and set in its ways. There has always been a set way of doing things, until now…

If you live and work in the country of France then you might be looking for a dedicated freelancer banking service? Here it is…

Here at Umbrella Companies we get visitors from all around the world. We are truly international, spanning the globe 1 blog post at a time.

Here at Umbrella Companies we talk a lot about self employed pensions. And for good reason, because most of you ignore it.

If you are a freelancer, contractor, gig worker, or self employed, then hold on to your hat, because we have exciting news.

There are approximately 228 million people working in the EU, and around 32 million of those are self employed people.

In the country of Bulgaria there is a self employment boom happening all around the nation. Bulgarians want to work for themselves.

A crack team of survey givers hit the streets of Holland recently. Their mission? To survey 5000 self employed Dutch workers.

There is a bus company in Harrogate where nothing special ever happens. Every day the buses come and go. Again and again.

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to visit Umbrella Companies. If you are aged 35 to 55 then keep reading, because…

The gig economy is booming and millions of gig workers are putting in the hours, around the clock, 24 hours a day.

15% of the UK workforce is now classed as “self employed,” but is everybody rolling in cash? Apparently not.

Its a Saturday afternoon. 3:14pm to be exact. And in the red and white are HMRC, while the Premier League are in all blue.

It’s a great time to be a self employed electrician right now. Some would even say it is a boom time, with more work than ever before.

Remember last week when I alerted the nation about HMRC scammers? These “Phishers” want to reel in the cash from your bank account.

Every day millions of self employed people check their inbox and read important emails from customers, clients, and…HMRC.

Your typical image of a criminal is someone who slips through your side window at night and nicks your television. There are other criminals though.

One of the main gigs almost anybody can get in the gig economy is driving. Companies such as Uber and Deliveroo will hire you.

Anger is in the air. The reason? Because of “universal credit,” that is why. Hundreds are taking to the streets and the internet in protest.

Have you ever wondered what is the best city for contractors and freelancers? Well, you are in the right place, because right here we have the answer.

Coca Cola, that well known beverage company who go with the slogan – “Taste the feeling,” have just got into the coffee game.

Financial disaster is on the horizon for 2 out of 5 self employed people. The reason? Because they have no pension.

The gig economy has been in the headlines almost constantly through the last few years, and now, it’s PAYE back time.

In the county of Worcestershire they are searching…searching for self employed and small businesses that are “outstanding.”

Thousands of contractors around the country are preparing for a battle. Who is the enemy? It’s those pesky blanketers, of course.

If you are a wannabe contractor, freelancer or gig worker, then you might be wondering what jobs are available.

The Women and Equalities Committee got together recently and looked at some numbers, and what they discovered shocked many.

Contractors around the country have banded together to make their voices heard regarding IR35. The mood right now? Revolt!

There was 2 self employed builders in Nottingham who thought it was a good idea to claim benefits…while still on the job.

There has been a lot of talk recently about auto-enrolment pensions for the self employed. Most people are in favour, but one guy is not.

Right now, as we speak, it is Fathers Day…a day for celebrating and eating Sunday Dinner, maybe even watching a bit of TV.

The boom time for self employment is right now as recent figures show that over 6 million people in the UK are now working for themselves.

A new report found that 1 in 10 callers to HMRC HQ never reach an operator. That is 4 million Brits ignored last year.

Something we have mentioned on this blog quite a bit is AI…robots…”The Machines.” Why? Because they are expected to take over.

What is the biggest problem facing our nations self employed right now in 2018? The answer is…”mobile reception” according to a survey.

Working for yourself is a great experience. You are the boss. What isn’t great is when you don’t get paid. Nobody likes that.

If you are a self employed worker who didn’t care about getting in your tax return by 31st January…get ready for a shock.

What happens if you can’t find any gigs and are generally struggling to make any money in the gig economy? You get £490 into your bank account.

Contractors in the public sector have been caught up in the IR35 madness recently, but could they soon be out of a job completely? Perhaps…

It was only a few years ago that your chance of being accepted for a self employed mortgage were slim to none. “REJECTED,” was the one word answer.

What would you do if you caught a pickpocket trying to sneakily pull £344 in cash out of your pocket? Turn round and punch him, maybe.

In a world where saving for your pension is considered “normal,” many self employed workers are raging against it.

The whole IR35 thing is controversial, we know that, but the IR35 online assessment tool on HMRC website is there to make things easier.

Being a television star is mostly about glitz and glamour, but when you are hauled in the interview room at HMRC HQ, then not so much.

Who are the best people in your corner when you want parental leave for the self employed? Pop singers and soap stars of course. Who else?

Most contractors have to hire an accountant to do their books and taxes. What if you didn’t have to do that though…what then?

While BBC presenters might be earning a nice bit of change (all thanks to the licence payers), that hasn’t stopped the IR35 crackdown.

If you have comitted no crime then wouldn’t you find it strange to be tagged? Just like a “scally,” so to speak, under house arrest.

While there are many contracting jobs in the UK, with cities such as London and Glasgow being at the top of the list, some are looking elsewhere.

A press release hit the major news hubs this week, in a big announcement that all contractors should take notice of. It was from TPAS.

We all know that not enough self employed people are saving for their retirements. Millions are going to be coming up short, unfortunately.

If you thought that having one job was enough then try having two. That is what around 30% of gig economy workers now have to do.

The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed, AKA IPSE, recently looked more closely at independent workers…

The last few years have seen winters in the UK remain unusually snow free, but this year it looks like the snow is here for a while.

We all know how common self employment is becoming in the UK, but is everybody satisfied? According to new research…NO!

If you are reading this then you have probably already heard about K&B Accountancy Group and their new special offer. A lot of contractors are talking.

Just when you thought companies such as Deliveroo and Uber were beaten…a judge in Birmingham slammed down the hammer and said…

When you go to pay your tax bill what is the one payment option most self employed people want to see? The credit card of course.

How would you feel if you had been made redundant twice and gone to 60 job interviews without any success at all? Most people would quit I think.

Many people in the UK want to become self employed but they are concerned about landing flat on their face. Nobody wants to fail.

Working from home has typically been the domain of so called white collar workers such as IT professionals. Not for long it seems.

It’s no secret that many public sector contractors were planning to down tools and head towards the private sector. The reason? IR35 of course.

There has never been a better time to be a temporary IT contractor. You roll in, do the work, and then take home a big bag of cash. Easy.

It a great time be a freelance contractor in the UK, no doubt about that, but sometimes it can be frustrating to hear people say the same things, over and over.

A well known and respected tax advisory company have recently done some research, and what they found will surprise many, especially in the public sector.

Working is all about that money, wouldn’t you agree? Apparently not, as a recent survey found that in the contracting world other things are more important.

The IR35 changes have had contractors complaining and moaning, there is no doubt about that…but should they all leave the public sector? Maybe not.

The world of contracting in Britain is booming, and rightfully so, but not all contractors are very good at looking into the future it seems.

Being self employed is great as many of you will agree…but having a good quality of life is even better, don’t you think? I do.

Many think self employment is all about living the high life. Not true. New research says that self employed are the “financial underclass.”

If you are a contractor in the UK then you probably want to pay less tax. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there will be a tax cut any time soon.

In the past you got a job and stayed with 1 company for years, but these days things are a lot different. Enter the freelance contractor.

One subject I’ve talked about before is how IT contractors would be leaving the public sector once those unpopular IR35 tax changes came into force.

If you read this blog every week then you will no doubt remember how I reported on the cheeky tax grab the government tried to bring in at the budget.

Do you ever get tired of cashing cheques and paying in money at your local bank? A digital banking company might just change that.

The takeaway delivery company Deliveroo have been in the news a lot recently, mostly being accused of hiring employees under the guise of “contractors.”

If you thought IT contracting was hitting a rough patch due to Brexit or IBM firing contractors, then think again, as demand was strong during May.

An IT contractor has taken the bold step of planning to take on the government and their IR35 reforms in a legal battle.

It’s only 2 days until the UK General Election, and from what I’m hearing many freelancers and contractors are still undecided about who to vote for.

It’s a harsh environment out there in the contracting world, and there is none as harsh as the IT industry, as proven by a recent IBM memo.

Wales is quickly becoming the UK hub of self employment, with 176,000 now working for themselves. That is 32% of new jobs in the country.

Many people are choosing to become their own boss and work from home, but a report suggests that many have to deal with loneliness.

According to a new survey, one in six workers from the town of Harlow in Essex are classed as self employed, with many of those classed as contractors.

A freelance photographer by the name of Eddie Mitchell isn’t afraid to take on the Sky Broadcasting Corporation, after it was announced he was suing them.

I reported right here on this blog about how contractors spend an average of 20 days a year chasing clients for late payments. Sometimes they never get paid.

A panel of pension experts recently took to the streets of 15 countries around the world and their findings were not exactly surprising.

Just over a quarter of Brits leave Secondary school without any kind of career advice…that is according to a new study of over 2000 adults.

We all know how frustrating it can be for small businesses, freelancers, contractors and gig workers to get paid by clients, but there could be a solution.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again…getting a mortgage if you are a contractor is tough. Most people who apply are declined, that is the reality.

Just like I reported about last week, the Chancellor Philip Hammond went after the self employed in his budget with a tax grab, and many were outraged!

It’s that time of the year again…The Budget with Chancellor Philip Hammond, but some experts are predicting there could be a tax grab on the self employed.

As you might be aware, changes are about to happen in the public sector with thousands of contractors facing disruption to their tax situation.

In a recent study it was revealed that people in the UK were more optimistic about working for themselves, compared to other European countries.

In a brand new survey by experts, it was found that 40% of British people in the workforce believed they will never get to retire.

According to IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and Self Employed, if you work for yourself then you spend 20 days a year trying to get paid.

I’ve talked before on this blog about how difficult it can be for contractors to get a mortgage or any kind of loan. For many people it’s almost impossible.

If you thought working for an employer was the best option then it’s time to reconsider, as new research shows self employed people work 10 hours less a week.

I’m sure that Jeremy Corbyn has attacked contractors before…well he seems to be at it again, with remarks made in a recent speech.

If you’re a contractor or small business owner, then you will no doubt be pleased to hear that Barclays now offer lending without the usual hassle.

While being self employed no doubt gives you more freedom, it seems that half of UK contractors can’t find the time to hit their local gym.

Experts are advising medium sized business owners around the country to focus on hiring more contractors as part of a flexible employment strategy.

Despite IT contractors being in huge demand this year, new reports are suggesting that Christmas will be a quiet time.

There was a time when the thought of robots doing ordinary jobs seemed far fetched, but the reality could be closer than you think.

If you are an umbrella contracting professional then you are no doubt aware that income tax is about to change…by going digital.

We all know the gig economy is becoming popular among contractors. However, a key advisor to the prime minister doesn’t like it at all.

What would it get you to quit the contracting lifestyle and back into employment? A new survey found that an offer of at least £67,000 a year would do it.

According to the IPSE, umbrella contractors in the UK are losing 5 thousand pounds a year because of unpaid work.

Tory minister Ed Vaizey has gone on record saying that freelance workers in the so called “gig economy” should be on minimum wage.

When it comes to IT contractors there appears to be no shortage of work, but that isn’t the case at the Department for Work and Pensions.

Chester Ang is a call centre worker who decided it was time to become self employed, so he handed in his resignation letter.

In a move that is sure to be interesting for contractors around the UK, Theresa May has appointed Tony Blair’s old employment law advisor.

It wasn’t long ago that umbrella contractors struggled to get a mortgage, but now the opposite is true, and the FCA has spoken about their concerns.

A new report published by ONS, suggests that just 1 in 5 contractors are putting any money away for their pensions.

Have you ever felt unfairly treated by the HMRC? If so, then you must do something about it experts are telling contractors.

Most umbrella contractors are by now aware of the plans to make tax digital (MTD), but some people wonder if it might be rushed.

As we are all aware, the UK voting to leave the European Union had a massive effect on the economy, not to mention the value of the Pound Sterling.

You’ve no doubt heard about the food delivery company called Deliveroo, but lately they have been making the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

We all know that IT contractors are in huge demand right now around the UK, but it seems that many of them may actually be confused.

A recent industry report from respected organisations within the UK suggests it’s never now is the right time to be an umbrella contractor.

It’s official…the self employed (including umbrella contractors) are losing out on an estimated £8.1 billion in late payments from customers each year.

Since Brexit, permanent placements are down to their lowest since the recession, which means the UK is relying on contractors to get back to a strong economy.

The Office for National Statistics have just released their latest report, and it has emerged that most self employed people are happy with their status.

It’s time to realize that umbrella contractors are the foundation of this country and should be treated as a priority by new Prime Minister Theresa May.

It seems that umbrella contractors working in the IT sector have decided to accept lower pay rates from Clydesdale Bank in a move that has left some experts shocked.

Umbrella contractors accosted by Nigel Farage’s smiling face in the wake of the Brexit vote are all wondering: what’s going to happen to us now?

In news that shows just how queer the employment sector can be, a new report shows the most in-demand roles in the north-west of England as of late.

Turns out umbrella contractors are no different than traditional employees – a new survey found that steady wages are highly desired by temp workers.

Despite everything, pay levels for umbrella contractors are actually up year on year, even if it seems impossible with the current market conditions.

To hell with getting a pay raise – many Brits say they would rather just be able to work at home in peace and quiet, a new research study says.

Want to become a more successful umbrella contractor? Maybe you should start running a few marathons!

The contracting landscape has changed over the years, with freelancers and umbrella company contractors now needing to be more skilled than ever.

There’s a major election cycle upon us – and the Federation of Small Businesses is urging everyone to support small and medium-sized businesses.

With the EU referendum hanging in the balance, contractor vacancies have arranged flat in the UK with just a 1 per cent increase year on year.

When it comes to the number of traditional permanent employees working for SMEs in the UK, nearly 1 out of 4 wish they were self-employed.

Working as a freelancer or an umbrella contractor is becoming increasingly popular with both men and women – and the trend is set to continue.

New reports from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) say that demand for freelancers and contractors in the UK is still high.

So here’s some good news: self-employed Brits like umbrella contractors and freelancers are finding it easier than ever to secure a mortgage.

A new research study conducted on behalf of NatWest found that a sizable proportion of Welsh would love to delve into freelancing or contract work.

New research from the FSB says that small firms need experienced individuals in leadership roles – a clarion call for self-employed management types.

A new study has found that women who adopt self-employment benefit greatly from working as a contractor or a freelancer.

Thanks to the perfect storm of a persistent skills shortage and a robust contractor community, consultancy has become a brilliant career choice.

According to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the nation’s high employment rate is a mixed bag of positive and negative.

Are you a freelancer or umbrella company contractor that works in the IT security sector? Well good news – you’re going to be very, very busy.

In case you hadn’t already sussed it out yourself, a new research study found that flexible working is one of the biggest draws to contracting.

Employment opportunities for freelancers and contractors in the new “gig economy” abound, according to newly released economic research.

New research has shown what umbrella contractors and freelancers already know: flexibility is a massive draw when it comes to the self-employed.

A new round of hiring on freelancers, contractors, and umbrella workers is in the cards for the UK according to the newest research study.

The demand for IT contractors, freelancers, agency workers and other self-employed experts in the UK is going strong and is likely to stay that way.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation has announced that the skills shortage gripping British employment could lead to raises for contractors.

Yes it’s true that the end of 2015 saw a decline in pay rates, salaries for freelancers and umbrella company contractors is on the up for the year.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation says that the British labour market has been dogged by the shadow of the skills shortage as of late.

Umbrella company contractors, freelancers, and other self-employed Brits will soon be under new scrutiny from a think tank recently founded to study them.

Small and medium-sized companies are set to expand in 2016, increasing their workforce – and increasing their need for contractors and freelancers.

Nearly one out of every two Brits want to start their own business, according to a recent survey conducted by Small Business.

Good news for contract workers and freelancers: employers in professionals sectors are still keen to source temporary staff for their vacant roles.

Freelancers and umbrella company contractors alike are continuing to benefit from the skills shortage gripping the UK, according to new reports from the REC.

For the first time in seven long months, the number of contractors in the UK has begun to increase once again according to new data from ONS.

Researchers say that IT contractors, either working as freelancers or for an umbrella company, had a fantastic third quarter of 2015.

This bloke Chris van der Kuyl says that the moribund oil and gas industry should be replaced by game development, and it will save Scottish contractors.

When it comes to creative SMEs, freelancers, or umbrella companies, Aberdeen is the newest hotspot in the UK according to a new research study.

Believe it or not, the Government has just taken what could be viewed as a positive step towards supporting freelancers and umbrella company contractors.

What does your online persona say about you? As recruiters rely on social, job boards, search and the web more, what you post online matters.

The UK’s self-employed have been hit for six and it shows. Another 51,000 shut up shop in the 3 months to July. It’s time to plug the leak. Now!

Microsoft, Siemens and others back the introduction of “tech levels” to the UK school curriculum. Will the new exams help fill the skills gap?

New rules came into force on Sept 1st governing the manner in which NHS Trusts can outsource nursing staff, midwives and health visitors. Ouch!

Graduates can’t get jobs that befit their education; businesses can’t hire people with the right skill set. Is the skills gap really such an easy fix?

IPSE’s Q2 Freelance Confidence Index recorded an all-time high in freelancers’ confidence in their business. But that was before the Emergency Budget…

With SDC reforms imminent, a new IR35 discussion document launched putting the onus of vetting contractors onto the client, we ask: What IS HMRC doing?

The government has fulfilled its budget promise and issued the IR35 discussion document. Should it worry contractors? Only if MPs take a huge pay cut

The Q2 2015 jobs report from CV Library sees Edinburgh, Liverpool and Birmingham record higher growth than London. Is the tide changing for good?

Will SDC really have a huge impact on the UK economy? Can remote digital freelance sites take up the slack? Yes and no, respect-ively and -fully.

Today, Chancellor Osborne delivers the first Tory-only budget for almost two decades. Paul’s laughing. Peter? Not so much.

The Chancellor has invited the FCSA to a post-budget chow-down. Solopreneur Julie Deane’s to head up a govt. report on self-employment. Just, Wow!

HMRC remains silent on many of the issues affecting contractors; as such, we’re left to speculate. Here’s our punt, with a h/t to Lisa Keeble.

London takes centre stage as TfL lays out is Business Plan up to 2020/21, while IPSE gets behind ITC report for better airport connectivity.

PricewaterhouseCoopers’ ‘Golden Age Index’ suggests that if the UK utilises workers aged 55+ the same as Sweden does, it could add £100bn to GDP.

We knew the UK skills shortage was bad. But even the HSMP can’t help fill ministerial jobs, 72% of which went unfilled in 2014/15 (Bullhorn)

Two articles reminded me how interviews used to be. Now, there’s a mobile app for interviewing, Google Maps and websites. Where were they in 1988?

George Osborne’s vision for the UK is exciting and bold. But the skills gap is a real threat to both short and long term growth, and it’s getting wider.

Using contractors on an ad hoc basis has aided recovery, but it’s a limited pool. Derby University higher apprenticeships seek to close the skills gap.

So, zero hours exclusivity clauses are no more. Is the flexible workforce overjoyed? Well, not as cock-a-hoop as you might expect…

Jeremy Hunt’s comments about agencies supplying NHS staff at ‘rip-off’ prices have ruffled feathers. Kevin Green of REC

The Resolution Foundation report into self-employed pensions is plain scary. Those contributing have dropped by half since 2001/2. Is this why?

An NSCC study projects stalling in the construction sector without investment in skills. For those already qualified, opportunity knocks.

We have an idea of how Chancellor Osborne will raise the higher tax rate threshold following the budget. But does it go far enough soon enough?

The FSB’s #IBackSmallBusiness video implores the new government to focus on the right areas for UK Small Biz growth. Here’s what we REALLY want:

IPSE is running a competition to find this year’s top independent professionals: Freelancer Awards 2015. Here’s why now’s the best time to enter!

APSCo, REC, KMPG and HM (new) Govt all foresee economic growth. Plus, new job posts are increasing. BUT, skilled labour is in decline. What to do?

Should you set up a Limited Company just to avoid paying tax? Most contractors do it right. But with 600k now operating this way, HMRC is on the warpath!

The US is presiding over the term “Dependent” Contractor, a role between employee and contractor. So why is HMRC intent on blurring our definitions yet further?

The UK’s economic growth is simply barreling along – and the contributions of freelancers and umbrella company contractors has been helping.

If you’re a freelancer or an umbrella company contractor and your IT skills aren’t up to par, you’re not alone – but you also could be selling yourself short.

A new research survey has found that interim workers like freelancers and umbrella company contractors often receive better pay than permanent workers.

The Confederation of British Industry has sounded the alarmist klaxon, swearing up and down that there’s a ‘war on talent’ destroying British industry.

Demand for self-employed Brits like freelancers and umbrella company contractors is soaring even as the looming election is causing hiring confidence to falter.

The vice chancellor of the University of Cumbria says that it’s an all hands on deck situation to combat the region’s STEM skill shortage.

The Government has announced that it will be extending the Prompt Payment Code to help contractors and other sole traders cope with the horrors of late payment.

The Association of Professional Staffing Companies says the plans in the new Budget to provide relief to umbrella company contractors could be a positive step.

According to the Bank of England, the UK workforce is undergoing a major shift thanks to the hard work of umbrella company contractors and freelancers.

Umbrella company contractors and freelance workers were in deep demand last month according to new figures from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation.

If you’re a freelancer or an umbrella company contractor in the engineering sector, you have some good news waiting for you: 2015 is likely to be your year.

A new research study seems to think that when it comes to 2015’s big winners, engineering contractors are going to be a tough act to follow.

David Morris, the government’s self employment ambassador, has had it with Labour’s rubbish when it comes to speaking down to freelancers and contractors.

The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed said recently that cheap petrol prices at the pump might be nice, British oil is in danger.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills says in a new survey that increasing the number of female Brits in self-employment would benefit the UK.