Contracting opportunities increase in Scotland’s engineering and construction sectors
Engineering and construction contract opportunities in Scotland increased during August 2014, alongside pay rises and falling contractor availability. The latest Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs highlights that engineering and construction contractors from elsewhere in the UK could find Scotland offers lucrative contract opportunities. “There was a record drop in people available for jobs and growing evidence of strong growth in pay confirming the tightening of the jobs market,” notes Bank of Scotland chief economist Donald MacRae. More...
Financial sector contractors working long hours, but get flexible working in return
Contractors working in London’s financial sector are expected to regularly work over their contracted hours, but in return contractors receive a range of flexible working conditions. This is according to a new survey of financial contractors by recruiter Morgan McKinley highlighting that most contractors feel obligated to work these extra hours. “The statistics show that a culture of long working hours is still inherent in the City, even among contractors,” says Morgan McKinley operations director Hakan Enver. More...
Self-employed contractor numbers inch up for another quarter
Self-employed contractor numbers increased again in the quarter to July 2014 to reach 4.541m. This represents an increase of 4,000 on the previous quarter, with the number of full-time self-employed contractors falling by 13,000. IPSE (formerly known as PCG) chief executive Chris Bryce believes the ongoing increases strengthens the argument for a minister for self-employment: “It is crucial that a dedicated minister for self-employment who will champion this sector is appointed within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.” More...
IT contractors seeking USA-based contracts need big data and cybersecurity skills
IT contractors looking for contracts in the USA will have a greater chance of securing assignments of they have cybersecurity and big data skills, which alongside automation software Puppet, are in the top three most in-demand skills. A report by Staffing Industry Analysts on USA job board operator Dice Holdings also shows that there were over 35,000 IT contracts at the beginning of September. More...
Expat and legal contractors are next on HMRC’s ‘soft targets’ list
Contractors working abroad and legal contractors are the next ‘soft target’ on HMRC’s list for a tax crackdown. The Telegraph’s Kyle Caldwell writes: “Accountants claim that HMRC focuses on ‘soft targets’ through special task forces that investigate specific job sectors.
They say middle-class professionals become anxious when faced with a bill for underpaid tax – and so are more likely to settle claims without dispute.” The report highlights that HMRC uses its powerful Connect software to profile sectors and taxpayers for investigations. More...
Contractors’ views sought for IPSE survey that will inform the Bank of England
Contractors are being asked to participate in the latest IPSE survey that will also be used to inform the Bank of England about the UK’s contracting sector. IPSE says that: “Your answers will play a pivotal role in helping the Bank of England analyse the UK’s macroeconomic outlook and identify the potential of this highly productive segment of the labour market.” There is also the opportunity for participants to win an iPad mini. More...
Contractor issues could rise up the Labour Party’s policy agenda, following new report
Contractors could move into a more central place in the Labour Party’s policy agenda following a new report by the Labour Finance and Industry Group. Authored by Cranfield University’s Professor Andrew Burke and former contractor Philip Ross, the report “aims to construct a policy framework by proposing a charter for freelancing” that includes the creation of a new freelancer limited company. More...
Contractor service provider choice increases
Contractors will have a greater choice of service providers following the appointment of a new member to the Freelancer and Contractor Services Association. Genie Accountancy has been accepted as a full member, which means it has passed the rigorous quality and external auditing processes by EY and CRS Solicitors that members must undergo. “Membership is the quality mark every freelancer and contractor should look for when choosing a professional services company to advise them,” explains chief executive Julia Kermode. “Only then can they be sure that they will receive a reliable, responsible and robust service.”
Contractors find out HMRC’s new rules on PAYE penalties
Contractors can now access HMRC’s new rules about Pay As You Earn (PAYE) penalties that will come into force for smaller employers, such as contractor limited companies, from 6 March 2015. Failure to file PAYE paperwork or to file on time will generate an automatic £100 fine, although contractors will be able to make one mistake before the financial penalties kick in. If they dispute the basis for the fine, contractors will be able to use HMRC’s online appeals process. More...