Job growth slows, but contracting jobs market remains bullish
The latest Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)/KPMG Report on Jobs reveals that UK employment growth slowed to a ten-month low in August. However, there is good news for contractors, as demand for IT workers and engineers bucked the trend. REC Chief Executive Kevin Green explains: “The report does…highlight the emergence of specific shortage areas, such as chefs, nurses, engineers and internet developers, which will provide opportunities for those with the right skills.” More…
Slump in public sector IT contractor demand
Despite increasing demand for IT contractors in the private sector, recruiter ReThink Recruitment has released research that shows public sector IT demand is down 30% from the start of the year, and only 4% of current new IT jobs are in the public sector. The slump is due to IT projects cancelled or postponed in anticipation of October’s comprehensive spending review. “Since the coalition came to power in May this year,” explains ReThink Director Michael Bennett, “public sector recruitment freezes have really taken hold. IT projects have been abolished, and consequently demand for IT skills has been very subdued.” More…
Simplify the Agency Workers Regulations, says recruitment trade body
The impact of the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) on contractors and recruiters remains unclear as, according to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills “the Government is currently considering the issue.” During the wait for guidance, the Association of Recruitment Consultancies (ARC) has written to the Ministry of Justice recommending measures to streamline the AWR. More…
Contractor guidance on compliance from HMRC
HMRC has published a series of factsheets about the new framework for compliance checks. The factsheets, which contractors can download from HMRC’s website, explain how HMRC requests information, arranges visits, deals with errors and imposes penalties for carelessness, ‘wrongdoing’ and ‘deliberate defaulters’. In practice, contractors receiving notification from HMRC about compliance checks should immediately consult their professional advisers, such as their accountant or investigation insurer. More…
Sustained growth for UK production to benefit contractors
The July production figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) rose by 0.3% on the previous month, showing the fifth consecutive month of UK production growth, up 1.9% year on year. Buoyant production impacts positively on many contracting disciplines, as the industries that contribute to the UK’s production figures, accounting for 17.2% of economic output, include manufacturing, oil and gas, mining and quarrying, energy supply and water. More…
Mixed look for contractors supporting retail, as online outperforms high street sales
The latest retail sales data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor August 2010 report present a mixed outlook for contractors. Non-food online, catalogue and phone sales increased by 17.8% on a year ago, which is positive news for IT, interim management and marketing contractors in the sector. However, high street sales were up 1.0% compared to August 2009. According to Stephen Robertson, Director General of the BRC: “The good news is sales are still growing, but anxiety about job cuts and tax rises is putting people off making major spending commitments.” More…
HMRC cuts paperwork sent to tax agents and advisers
In a bid to cut costs “where there will be minimal impact on customers”, HMRC will no longer send copies of key tax and self assessment forms to contractors’ accountants and tax advisers. From as early as this month, forms including P2, P800, P810, SA250, SA251 and SA252 will only be sent to the taxpayer. Contractors should check with their professional advisers whether they are likely to be affected and confirm which items they will need to forward as the cuts take effect. More…
Published: Friday, September 10, 2010
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