Report calls on Government to help limited company contractors The Treasury Select Committee has told the Government that it “must” improve the COVID-19 support available to nearly three-quarters of a million limited company contractors and hundreds of thousands of other…
Do freelancers need a contract in place before starting? Q. I’ve been freelancing for a year or so. I work with a number of clients, occasionally simultaneously, but more often than not, one by one. Whilst I understand that having…
Contractor hiring decreases again, but things are "looking up" While COVID-19 saw contractor hiring and permanent placements in May fall at the second sharpest rate on record, experts believe that the "worst may be behind us." This is the latest…
What Coronavirus help, if any, can new contractors receive? Q. I am fairly new to contracting, having only formed my limited company in January of this year. I worked for a client for a week in January, however, since then I…
Protect your financial interests throughout COVID-19 The possible impacts of the Coronavirus on the contracting industry are wide-reaching. Contractors face quarantines and other governmental actions that continue to threaten the contracting workforce. So, as contractors, how best can you protect…
Futureproof your business, ready for life after lockdown There’s no denying that the way all of us work has changed drastically in the last few months. And whilst there’s concern among many freelancers and contractors about opportunities drying up due…
SEISS extended, but Chancellor "ignores" contractors The welcome news that the COVID-19 support for the self-employed has been extended until August doesn’t make up for the fact that hundreds of thousands of freelancers and contractors have been “forgotten", experts say. …
Is there a chance that IR35 reform will be delayed again? Q. Whilst I’m aware that changes to the off-payroll tax were postponed recently as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, I’m slightly confused as to whether the reforms are…
Do umbrella workers qualify for the Job Retention Scheme? Q. I work via an umbrella company but, due to COVID-19, my contract has been terminated. I’ve read a few contrasting reports in the past few weeks with regards to whether…
Contractor hiring suffering, but decline is "flattening" Coronavirus saw contractor hiring severely impacted in April, with vacancies for professional contract roles falling 44% year-on-year and 41% month-on-month. However, experts say the decline is beginning to flatten, offering some hope for…
April 2021 implementation date still stands A tabled amendment to the Finance Bill calling for IR35 reform in the private sector to be delayed until 2023/24 has been rejected, as the Bill passed without a division. This means the controversial…
Blanket IR35 decisions - do clients have to budge? Q. Like many contractors, in the lead up to 6th April, I was subject to a blanket IR35 determination. My client took the decision to place all contractors it engages inside…
Stay productive, healthy and happy when working alone As a freelancer or contractor, you may be familiar with working alone and from home. But if you're used to popping into your client’s office to work or make use of a co-working space…
How to win work through case studies I was sat with our Marketing Manager this week, developing a marketing strategy for targeting organisations that might require our career development and winning-work expertise, and we started putting together a series of…
Contractors to reject client's IR35 decisions With IR35 reform in the private sector having been delayed by one year, most contractors assessed as inside IR35 by their client will reject this decision and revert back to working outside the legislation,…
How to improve your skillset during lockdown Whether you’re a freelancer, contractor or independent consultant, expanding your range of skills a surefire way to help give you a competitive edge when looking for new contracts. But needless to say, due…
