Cyber security contractors could become more popular

Contractors should consider a role as a cyber security professional, according to an expert, who said that companies appreciate and value the work they carry out.Nicholas Lansman, the Internet Servic...

Contractors' pension changes need close attention

Contractors using umbrella companies need to be aware of the issues relating to their pensions and the way they will change under the new coalition government, according to an expert.Tony Harris told...

Contractors can help with UK economic recovery

Smaller businesses and contractors using umbrella companies will be vital to the UK's economic recovery, according to one expert.Emyr Williams, director of Bytestart.co.uk, said that the pro-busi...

IT renegotiations could have repercussions for contractors

The proposed renegotiations of IT contracts could have repercussions for people using umbrella companies, according to an expert, who said that outsourcing could create more work.Michael Dean, head o...

Contractors warned over 24 month rule

The HMRC has warned contractors to be wary of the 24-month rule which applies to claims for travel and subsistence whilst working on temporary contracts.Zeva.co.uk claimed that contractors using umbr...

Mixed-age teams are best for contractors

Contractors of all different ages should work together if employers want to create a strong team, according to an expert, who believes that mixed teams are the best.Rachel Krys, campaign director for...

Contractors should be encouraged to work flexibly

Flexible working should be available to more contractors around the UK, according to an expert, who said that it would help businesses to meet customer's needs and have happier staff.Stephen Over...

Three steps for contractors' travel expenses

Contractors using umbrella companies need to be aware of the different areas that travel expenses can fall into and make sure their claims recognise them, according to one expert.Bob Jones, founder o...

Contractors help govt curb its emissions

Contractors using umbrella companies could be buoyed by the news that the government is using workers to help reduce Whitehall's heating bill by carrying out energy-efficient improvements.David P...

Body scans are a step too far for interviews

Proposals to introduce body scans as part of an interview process are a step too far, according to an expert, who said that contractors using umbrella companies are put under enough pressure while tr...

Contractors' applications need to be honed

Sending out hundreds of poorly thought out CVs is useless, according to an expert, who said contractors using umbrella companies need to tailor their applications in order to succeed.Keith Potts, chi...

GDP leap buoyed by construction sector

After a shock leap in the UK's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), many commentators were left shocked and accredited the construction sector as being a driving force behind the surprising statistics, ...

Pension reforms need careful consideration, says expert

The proposals by the government to increase the retirement age to 68 have been criticised by one pensions expert, who said the move might not be the best one for mature workers in the UK and could af...

Contractors 'are struggling with tax system'

Too many contractors using umbrella companies are struggling with the UK's complex tax system at the moment, according to an expert, who believes that it needs to be reformed.Andrew Hubbard, form...

HSE: Contractors need to remain safe

Safety issues for contractors using umbrella companies were highlighted today when one firm was fined after it erected dangerous scaffolding that then collapsed because of high winds.The Health and S...

Body language can be a winner for contractors

Contractors using umbrella companies looking to secure all-important deals need to ensure that they use the right body language when meeting clients or attending interviews, according to one expert.B...

TUC: Gender pay gap needs to be addressed

Women using umbrella companies should be able to earn the same amount of money as their male counterparts, according to one organisation which said that the gender pay gap still exists, and steps nee...

Educational reforms could be ideal for contractors

Labour's reforms of the UK's education system in the late 90s were great news for contractors using umbrella companies, according to one news provider which stated that it gave schools and co...

Tax simplification is on the horizon

The complex UK tax laws are to be reformed so that they are no longer difficult or feel like a "spaghetti bowl" to contractors using umbrella companies, according to the chancellor.George Osborne tol...

Contractors are unprepared for interviews

Too many contractors using umbrella companies are not prepared for an interview, according to an expert, who said that many do not even spend time researching a company before attending an interview....