Time To Set The Record Straight On The Agency Workers Directive
Any freelance contractor who makes a living through an umbrella company may be wise to take a look at the new online knowledge bank, which came into being on 10th August. Developed by the umbrella company Parasol, this highly informative site is designed to assist both contractors and recruiters to fully understand the forthcoming Agency Workers Directive (AWD). This new piece of EU legislation will take effect in October 2011 - and it’ll have major implications for all UK temporary employment agencies as well as for the contractors who work for them.
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Running out of Steam - Why Contractors Should Charge More
Especially for the fledging freelance contractor, making a living can often feel like a hand-to-mouth existence. The temptation is to pick up whatever contract jobs you can lay your hands on, keep your fee rate as low as possible and toil away as hard as you can. Many new freelancers don’t take holidays of any kind and work at full tilt, a lifestyle which is virtually guaranteed to flatten the biological batteries sooner or later.
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Private sector recovers in July
The number of job appointments in the UK rose again in July, though the rate of growth slowed slightly. The news comes from the latest REC report on Jobs and includes permanent and contractor jobs figures.
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Contractors And Small Firms Should Be Exempt From Pension Reform
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said yesterday the all freelance contractor and other micro businesses should be exempt from the automatic enrolment pension scheme due to come into force in 2012.
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HMRC Warns Of New Phone Scam Posing As Taxman
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has warned that fraudsters are phoning to inform taxpayers they are due a tax rebate, asking for their bank card details over the phone. The criminals then attempt to withdraw cash or make purchases from the account using the details provided.
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The Earning Potential Of An IT Contractor
Many employees in the IT industry are considering becoming freelance contractors. This is partly as a result of increased freedom and flexibility that contracting offers which is particularly appealing to those with young children, but it is also a result of increased earning potential. But just how much money can IT contractors earn?
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Contractors Warned About Private Sector
Freelance contractors have been warned that the private sector will not be able to cope with the upcoming public sector cuts to such an extent as some people are predicting.
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The Power Of Less Traditional PR For Contractors
All UK freelance contractors, especially those working as sole traders, have been advised to focus on building their reputation with existing customers and focus on the less traditional types of public relations, by a leading PR expert this week.
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IT Contractors Play an Increasingly Important Role in UK Businesses
IT Contractors are being increasingly relied on by small UK-based businesses, according to a review conducted by the PeoplePerHour.com website.
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Contractor Confidence on the Rise, but Domestic Demand Still a Concern
Good news for UK freelance contractors, as a recent report published by Lloyds TSB Commercial reveals a renewed optimism in UK businesses seeking to utilise the services of sole traders and small firms.
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Contractors Finance Fears Increase Ahead Of Spending Cuts
A report published this week showed that UK contractors are more worried about their finances, both business and personal, than ever before. Indeed the levels of financial pessimism are higher now than at any point since the summer of 2009 - a time where the UK economy was still in recession.
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Good News For Contractors From The Government
The new coalition government is not universally popular amongst UK freelance contractors due to the upcoming spending cuts and the expected widespread effects of the cuts on contractors. However some good news for contractors from the government was published yesterday in a new report.
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Higher Interest Rates On The Way?
Chief Economist of the Influential think tank, the Policy Exchange, Dr Andrew Lilico, has warned that, in order to counteract consistently high inflation, interest rates may be pushed up to 8% by 2012.
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Boost For Retail Contractors In The UK
UK freelance contractors working in the retail industry have received a major boost this week with good news about the VAT increase in 2011.
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REC Confirms Dates For AWR Workshops
As part of its Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) campaign, the REC has announced the dates for a series of regional AWR workshops.
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All Contractor VAT Returns To Be Filed On-line By 2012
Freelance contractors who are self employed sole traders or running their own limited company and registered for VAT, should prepare for the requirement to submit VAT returns on-line from 1 April 2012.
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Young Contractors Advised To Study The Market
Graduates and school leavers who are considering getting involved in contracting are recommended to study the marketplace carefully to find where skill shortages exist.
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