IT and engineering lead new jobs league tables in January
IT & telecoms and engineering were the top performers out of 34 sectors in the new job opportunities league tables in January, according to the latest Reed Job Index. Although growth between December 2011 and January 2012 in both sectors was marginal, on a year-on-year basis IT increased by 35% and engineering by 39%, against an overall increase in the index of 9%. The marketing and media sectors also performed strongly, suggesting firms have started easing marketing budgets. More…
IT departments are planning for ‘steady growth’ in 2012, says recruiter
IT contractors could benefit from significant investment into IT departments by contracting clients in 2012. This is according to the IT Job Board, which is upbeat about IT recruitment for 2012. “We’re hearing from clients with plans to grow their departments significantly,” says Director of sales Pete Healey. He also forecasts that cloud services will drive demand for specific skills in the coming year: “We are still seeing growth in web-based applications ... in line with the movement from physical computing environments to the cloud.” More…
New ESC C16 rules are disappointing for contractors planning company closure
Contractors seeking to close their business tax efficiently using Extra Statutory Concession C16 could pay more tax from April 2012. The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) reports that government plans to place a cap on the amount of shareholders’ funds that can be distributed tax efficiently as capital have been approved by parliament. “Currently ESC C16 provides a simple, straightforward and inexpensive way for a company to be wound up at the end of its life,” says CIOT’s Andrew Gotch. “The government have brought this concession into law in a way that is far more restrictive, limiting it to companies whose total distributions come to no more than £25,000.” More…
Oil and gas contractor prospects buoyant in 2012, reveals salary guide
Oil and gas contractors look set to enjoy a buoyant 2012, as hiring returns to the UK sector following a difficult recession. The Oil & Gas Global Salary Guide 2012 also reports that contractor rates rose by 30% in 2011. “Average oil and gas salaries in the UK are around 8% more than the worldwide average,” explains Duncan Freer, managing director of the guide’s co-author, Oil and Gas Job Search.” More…
Oil and gas contractors’ mid-term prospects enhanced by new licensing round
In addition to a buoyant 2012 forecast by the latest Oil & Gas Global Salary Guide, UK oil and gas contractors will also gain mid-term benefit from the 27th oil and gas licensing round just announced by Energy Minister Charles Hendry. A total of 2,800 blocks around the British Isles are up for grabs by energy and exploration companies. The last round in 2010 resulted in the largest number of licenses issued since licensing began in 1964, and if this new round is comparable it could generate a large number of upstream and downstream contracts. More…
Contractors benefit from construction and manufacturing growth
Contractors with clients in the construction and manufacturing sectors will benefit from an upbeat start to the year. The Markit/Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) UK Manufacturing and Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for both sectors was in growth territory in January. Manufacturing output increased at the fastest pace since March 2011, with strong foreign demand from Brazil, China, the Middle East and the US. And although the housing and civil engineering sectors saw marginal declines, the commercial sector continued its 23-month unbroken run of output growth. More…
New iPhone/iPad app to help contractors stay on top of expenses
Contractors can download a new app to help them keep control of their expenses. ExpenseMagic allows contractors to photograph receipts and invoices using their smartphone. The receipts are categorised and processed by ExpenseMagic and then stored online via a cloud service. They can be emailed to a contractor’s umbrella company or accountant, or exported into some accounts software. The basic service is free, with a charge per item for a fully automated service. Blackberry and Android versions are planned soon. More…
Contractor businesses invited to join 2012 Business is Good for Britain campaign
Contractors keen to celebrate the success of their contractor limited company, and demonstrate the benefit their activities bring to UK PLC, are invited to join the British Chambers of Commerce 2012 Business is Good for Britain Campaign. Launched on 1 February, campaign aims to demonstrate the importance of the UK’s thriving private sector to its economic prosperity. “Britain's history is built on having some of the most innovative, dynamic and creative businesses in the world,” says Prime Minister David Cameron in support of the campaign. “They are the engines of new job creation and economic growth that this country depends upon.” More…
Published: Friday, February 03, 2012
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