Contractors aren’t employees; it’s official! (In some cases, at least)
The tribunal ruling last year granting contractor Andrew Tilson employment rights from client Alstom Transport has been overturned at appeal. The appeal judge did so on the basis that the original tribunal judge should not have discounted as a “sham” the various contracts between Tilson, his payroll company, agency and client. Matt Boddington from Accountax was not surprised to see the appeal succeed: “This … demonstrates that when parties strike a bargain with their eyes open on the basis of a client and independent contractor relationship, then the Courts will uphold that view..” More…
IT contracting growth shooting for the stars?
IT contractors can prepare for the meteoric growth of IT roles. At least that’s the impression to be gained from the latest report from IT and telecoms sector skills council e-skills. It shows that in the last eight years, the IT workforce has grown at double the UK average, and is forecast to grow by four times average over the next ten years. More…
Massive drop in jobs in key contracting sectors last year confirmed
Despite e-Skills UK warning IT contractors to hold onto their hats as demand for IT professionals is set to soar, Broadbean’s analysis of 8 million job postings that passed through its clients’ systems in 2009 confirms that IT jobs were down 32.6% on 2008. Construction fell a whopping 67.8%, but engineers were the least affected, seeing a fall of 27% compared to 2008 demand. More…
Contract posts still showing recovery
Contractors still weathering the economic storm can take cheer from the latest Report on Jobs published by KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). It shows temp’ and contract role billings in the agency sector falling just short of last month’s two-and-a-half year high, matched with the first pay increases since September 2008. More…
Contractors bankrolling the government
According to research by the Federation of Small Businesses and ICM, one in three payments from the public sector are still being made late. The survey showed that many of small business owners waiting for payment used personal assets, savings and credit cards to make up the state’s shortfall. FSB Chairman John Wright says: “The public sector needs to take the lead in more than word alone and set an example that paying late isn't acceptable.” More…
Better news for current, and future, contractor landlords
Contractors with buy-to-let property portfolios may see the value of their portfolio and personal balance sheet increase, as the latest House Price Index from the Halifax shows a 3.5% rise in property prices over the last 12 months. As Halifax housing economist Martin Ellis explains, contractors with free cash might still pick up a bargain: “The marked reduction in interest rates over the past 15 months has, from a low base, boosted housing demand from those with a sufficient deposit to enter the market.” More…