Business News

Weather Contributes to Consumer Lull

The recent wet weather has reportedly been contributory to recent economic figures, with April seeing a drop of 1.9% in consumer spending.

At the time of year where ordinarily people would be buying garden furniture and summer clothing, umbrella sales have gone up by a startling 5000%.

PPI Claim Process to be Simplified

Banks and credit card companies have promised to make the PPI claims process simpler and easier for members of the public.

Problems have arisen in the sector as many people who think they were mis-sold the payment protection insurance use claims management companies to aid their case, who then take a share of any compensation.

Service Addresses can Provide Privacy for Contractors

Since the main implementation of the Companies Act 2006, which took affect on 1st October 2009, company directors have been afforded a new element of privacy with the introduction of 'service addresses' that can be used in place of residential addresses on the public record.

March Eurozone Figures

Economic figures from Europe have indicated a further downturn, with the highest rate of unemployment across the continent for 15 years.

However the UK economy has grown overall over the last month, indicating that the British economy may avoid the dip back into recession, which is a seeming inevitability in most European nations.

PI Insurance Can Help Secure Public Sector Contracts

Contractor professional indemnity (PI) insurance helps protect you against the risk of clients claiming you have made a mistake or been negligent. PI insurance can also help you to win lucrative new contracts within the UK’s public sector, because as part of their procurement terms and conditions, many public sector clients demand high levels of PI insurance cover.

Demand for IT Contractors Increases

The demand for IT contractors reached a six-month high this week, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

This rise in demand is certainly a positive step in what has been a difficult period, and it is hoped that this will be a sign of things to come.

Barclays Tax Avoidance

The latest in a long line of gaffs by another high street bank has come to light this week, with the news that tax avoidance schemes used by Barclays could have cost the treasury £500 million.

The bank put in place two separate schemes to avoid tax bills, which it claims it thought was in alignment with what other financial companies were doing. However the government has now closed down these schemes.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

IR35 has been around now for 12 years and those contractors who have been unlucky enough to have been investigated by HMRC will know the importance of proving that you are in business on your own account. There are many facets to an enquiry which can lead to the decision of whether or not you have been caught by this legislation. It is therefore imperative that you are able to demonstrate the differences between yourself and the employees of the business you are contracting to.

No Growth in Third Financial Quarter

The current economic climate is (if you hadn’t realised) less than favourable. Figures released today show a lack of growth in the most recent quarter, going against some predictions of growth.

The continuing saga regarding the ‘Euro-zone’ crisis, plus global demands, has left economies stagnating somewhat and not heading in the planned upward direction.

Google Predicts Growth

Economists at Google have predicted a substantial growth in the amount of IT jobs in Britain due to companies exploiting the benefits of the internet.

An estimated 365,000 new jobs may be created in the next five years, a prediction that reflects the already heavy internet investment in the business world.

We’re not going on a Summer Holiday!

A recent survey has found that, on average, only half of workers take their full allowance of holiday leave.

Perhaps even more surprisingly, 1 in 10 workers took no holiday leave whatsoever, the survey conducted by recruitment agency Robert Walters has found.

Your Round

Recent reports have stated that there has been a significant decrease in the sales of Beer in the UK, a trend that is being blamed on higher taxes and VAT. The report by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) states that sales of beer are down by 10% over the three months at the beginning of the British summer compared to the same period last year.

The Bench

As a contractor, it is highly likely that you will find yourself “on the bench” at some point. And it can be a tough time. Trust me, I know from my own experience. The real secret to being “on the bench”, though, is to follow some simple rules to maintain perspective and to keep making progress.

AWR - How Will They Affect You?

The much-discussed Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) finally come into force on 1^st October. Do you know enough about them?

Regardless of your trading method, you will be affected. ContractorCalculator have produced a free white paper explaining exactly how...

Jaguar Announce New Jobs

The government’s drive to put manufacturing at the heart of Britain’s economic recovery has received a huge boost today as car-makers Jaguar Land Rover announced plans to invest £335 million into a new factory that will build low emission vehicles, which will be based in the Midlands.

One proposed location is Wolverhampton and the estimated amount of jobs created specifically in manufacturing is 750, with hundreds more jobs being created in other crucial departments.