Umbrella company, recruitment and contractor news.

Track record 'will count for contractors'

Contractors looking for work in the financial services sector need to show they have a proven track record of producing results, according to an expert, who said that recruitment in the sector is c...

Compulsory pension funds needed, says expert

Some form of compulsory pension scheme is needed, one expert has advised.Reform of the pension system was inevitable, according to Gordon Forbes, managing director of Caledonia Asset Management, bu...

Review cash flow now, businesses told

Business owners have been advised to review their financial situation in light of the uncertainty facing the country's economy.Ahead of chancellor George Osborne's emergency Budget next week, Bibby...

CIPD: More performance-related pay needed in public sector

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has suggested that the public sector makes greater use of performance-related pay.It said this would give "more bang for the taxpaye...

Freelance contractors reminded to sort finances carefully

Professional contractors, especially those just starting out in self-employment, must ensure they keep their finances in order, it has been advised.There are dangers associated with using the same ...

Employers 'must help freelance contractors with money problems'

Bosses have been urged to help professional contractors and other staff who are facing money difficulties.Debt charity Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) said personal debt in the UK is gro...

Professional contractors urged to seek retirement advice

Freelance contractors who are approaching retirement should take professional financial advice to ensure they are properly prepared, it has been advised.Figures from Prudential have revealed that j...

Emergency budget 'must aid small businesses in getting credit'

Professional contractors and others operating small businesses must be aided in the new chancellor's emergency budget, it has been said.George Osborne should ensure access to credit is available to...

Freelance contractors urged to plan for financial future

Professional contractors have been reminded of the importance of preparing financially for their future.Brits are not saving enough for their long-term requirements, said Patrick Connolly, head of ...

Coalition gov't 'must reduce deficit', businesses say

The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government must outline robust plans for reducing the deficit, small businesses, including contractor umbrella companies, have said.In a survey by the Fe...

IT contractors face lower web development payments

IT contractors involved in web development projects are seeing 36 per cent lower average pay rates than at the height of the dotcom bubble, according to new research.Typical freelance web developer...

Freelance contractors 'must not mix business with pleasure'

Professional contractors have been reminded of the importance of keeping their personal and business finances completely separate. Being self employed has certain risks, so the two should not be co...

Small firms 'shy of going to banks'

Small businesses, such as those run by freelance contractors, are reluctant to ask their bank for financial help, according to new research.Figures from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) rev...

Umbrella payroll companies hit by late-paying customers

Nearly three-quarters of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), including umbrella payroll companies, are affected by late payments.Across the UK, businesses have invoices worth £15.7 billi...

Tall female professional contractors 'earn more'

Women over 5ft 8ins tall are more successful in the workplace, female professional contractors may be pleased to hear.Taller women are twice as likely to have a salary of £30,000 or more, acco...

Invoice payments 'taking longer'

Many businesses, professional contractors included, are facing longer waits for invoices to be paid, research has revealed. A third said customers take longer to pay than a year ago, the figures fr...

PCG: Budget was much ado about nothing

The recent Budget announced by Chancellor Alistair Darling was "much ado about nothing", according to the freelancing representative body PCG. John Brazier, managing director of the organ...

Budget pledges for entrepreneurs 'too vague'

The chancellor's pledges to aid entrepreneurs such as freelance contractors and small firms have been welcomed but described as "a little bit vague".In his 2010 Budget speech, Alistair Da...

Freelance contractors 'putting long-term future at risk'

Freelance contractors are putting themselves at risk by placing business before their long-term financial planning, it has been warned.Financial services firm Standard Life pointed out that self-em...

Zero pay increase for many freelance contractors

Freelance contractors face differing pay situations this year, with more than 16 million workers not expecting salary increases.A further nine million will receive an increase below the rate of inf...