Larkstar appeal halted – but is this only a new beginning?
The PCG (formerly known as the Professional Contractors Group) reports that contractor Alan Brill, owner of Larkstar Data, has decided to retire and halt his appeal against HMRC, following a deal negotiated by Accountax. Brill exits the appeal with no liability apart from what’s in the company bank account minus a final pension payment and bank charges, and HMRC won’t chase him or other directors for unpaid tax. But although this is an end for Brill, it could be the beginning for other contractors who fall foul of IR35. That’s because it is unclear which bits of the Larkstar case law HMRC might use to go after other contractors. More…
ARC drops calls for judicial review of Agency Workers Regulations
The Association of Recruitment Consultancies (ARC) has dropped its plans to seek a judicial review of certain elements of the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR). They say they are doing so despite ‘persuasive advice from Queen’s Counsel’, citing lack of time as driving the decision. However, lack of support may be the real reason, as the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s External Relations Director, Tom Hadley, is quoted in The Recruiter as saying: “We are moving on to other things and have made a conscious decision not to spend time on something that is not in the interests of the industry and has no chance of succeeding.” More…
Manufacturing contractors’ prospects upbeat
The EEF, The Manufacturers Organisation, has reported an increase in UK exports of 6% in the last quarter, compared to the same period last year. EEF also claims that over 90% of all UK manufacturers are involved in export. The improved fortunes of the UK’s manufacturing sector, still the sixth largest in the world, will provide greater opportunities for the myriad of contractors working in the sector, including IT and telecoms contractors, engineers, technicians, interim managers and marketers. More…
City demand for workers up 83% on 2009
Financial services IT contractors stand to benefit by the surge in recruitment in the financial centre in London. The latest Morgan McKinley London Employment Monitor shows that new financial jobs in London rose 21% from February to March and a staggering 83% compared to March 2009. All these new workers will need IT infrastructure to match. “March 10 was a very healthy month for City hiring, with job volumes reflecting the increased confidence and momentum in the financial services market,” says Morgan McKinley MD Andrew Evans. “This is consistent with a number of wider economic indicators.” More…
Jobs and contracts secured in offshore support deal
Further improved prospects across the board for oil & gas, engineering, energy, IT and offshore contractors as engineering firm AMEC and its joint venture partners have signed a deal worth £500m with Shell-backed ONEgas, to supply engineering, maintenance and back-office support services. The contract extension will secure employment and contracts for up to 1,000 workers in the North Sea. More…
Free support so contractors demonstrate they are ‘in business’
As part of their IR35-avoidance strategy, limited company contractors who need to demonstrate that they are in business in their own account can still qualify for a free web address, website and online marketing tools as part of the previously reported Getting British Business Online (GBBO) campaign. Contractors can also source free business cards online in the name of their contractor limited company, with home office contact details and their new website and email address. As well as being free business tools, these can also be used by contractors as evidence that they are genuinely running a business, rather than being ‘disguised employees’, as HMRC chooses to brand many contractors. More…
Unemployment increases but benefit claimants fall – does this mean more contractors?
According to the latest Labour Market Statistics from ONS, unemployment has increased by 43,000 to 2.5m during the last three months to February. This is the highest level since 1994, but benefit claimants have actually fallen by 32,900 to 1.54m. Undoubtedly, some of the discrepancy is due to many younger people choosing to continue or return to education and training, but it is also probable that the number of contractors is also increasing as workers are choosing self-employment rather than the dole. More…