What’s your freelancer personality type?
After studying some of the one million business owners who use Shopify, the e-commerce platform categorised different founder personality types. They highlighted what motivates each, too. Read through their personality signs below and…
FSB Scotland calls for freelancer policies to include funds and insurance
Scottish Government must create a set of policies that act as a safety net for freelancers given their large contribution to the economy, according to the Federation of Small Business Scotland.
Research has found that only a fifth of…
French wine lovers: stock up before prices surge
Frost across parts of France has damaged budding and flowering grapevines to such a degree that harvests in some areas will be cut by as much as 90 per cent, according to French news reports. The damage has extended to fruit farmers,…
Gotta have that gadget? Germ-killing mobile chargers, talking running shoes, micro-current facials…
Most of us love a good gadget to fix our daily problems. The Freelance Informer came across a few weird and wonderful ones and thought we'd share what we found. Just don't blame us if the people at home give you funny looks when you start…
How to start a subscription box service based on your passions and interests
The basic concept of launching a subscription box service can evolve from your personal interests - ones that you would love to receive delivered straight to your door every month. Whether that passion revolves around cycling, gardening,…
London Symphony Orchestra to air concert in support of freelance musicians that have “fell…
Sir Simon Rattle, Music Director of the London Symphony Orchestra. Photo credit: London Symphony Orchestra/Doug Peters
The London Symphony Orchestra's music director, Sir Simon Rattle, was so moved by the plight of freelance symphony…
IR35: Care sector platform Florence to only support PAYE workers – is it worth changing…
Florence, an online platform that connects care homes directly to nurses looking for extra shifts, has reported that it will no longer be supporting nurses that work under a limited company structure. As of the 6th of April 2021, when new…
How to negotiate higher rates and squash the gender pay gap
Men consistently negotiate a pay rise, while women often accept what is offered, according to Karina Collis, a professional negotiation expert and founder of Liinea Sales Advisory. Moreover, women will negotiate their relevant salary less…
Glastonbury Festival and other venues and events receive £400m in grants
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has announced that over 2,700 organisations have collectively been offered nearly £400 million in grants and loans to help the culture and heritage sector reopen and recover. The Freelance Informer reports…
New tax payment scheme for UK self-employed could freak out freelancers
At the heart of the government’s vision is a digitised tax system that "works closer to real-time" and the Treasury is looking to other countries for guidance. Would real-time monthly tax payments enable companies to scale up as quickly or…
Baroness Kramer: Self-employed system constantly penalising contractors and freelancers
The Loan Charge APPG has published what it deems "a powerful report" on their inquiry into ‘How Contracting Should Work’. The APPG has reported that it has exposed significant non-compliance and malpractice in the supply chain by many…
Brexit and IR35: Are the days of the self-employed pilot numbered?
Let's get to the good news first. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has launched a simplified process to allow pilots who transferred their licence and medical certificate to an EU member state in preparation for the end of the transition…
Will you be a Saving Sue, a Spend-it-all Sam, Debtor Dan or Investing Ingrid in the lockdown lift?
If you are one of the fortunate ones who did not burn through their savings over the past year when parts of the economy were in lockdown, you may be itching to spend that windfall. The coming weeks will test your saving prowess now that…
Freelance Mums: your numbers are rising, but so are your health risks, says report
It has been documented that it is increasingly hard to balance our lifestyles. Why it is then that working mothers, especially freelancers, have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic? New research by specialist lawyers Bolt…
Are you prepared to go back to office life?
The latest Deloitte CFO survey has reported that leaders at major UK companies believe that the majority of their staff will be back in the office by the third quarter of this year. But speaking to freelancers and employees The…
The Easter BBQ: a new tradition? Here are some cracking Easter recipe ideas
The latest national coronavirus lockdown easing has come just in time for the four-day Easter break. BBQs and garden tables are getting scrubbed down. Many of us are getting a bit giddy with anticipation at the thought of socialising again…
Freelancer-turned-founder develops fintech app
Startup Profile: Corgee
Freelancer turned founder: Dmitrijs Vitjazevs
Sector: Fintech/Freelancer Economy
Location: UK/Spain
Corgee, an AI-powered finance app to make personal finance simpler for the UK’s 5.3 million…
The last straw? Sunak considering tax hike for self-employed
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is considering increasing the amount of national insurance self-employed workers pay to be aligned or equalised with employed staff, it has been reported.
Treasury sources told news service, i that…
Secret study reveals male applicants face discrimination in female-dominated roles
A new study in the journal Plos One has revealed that male gender stereotyping is a growing problem in the job application process, yet rarely talked about.
Researchers from two universities created over 3,000 faux…
How to preserve your reputation when things go wrong as a freelancer
Those freelancers and business owners that have had to make a professional indemnity claim over the course of the pandemic, such as wedding photographer Lucy English* have seen the benefits of cover both to preserving their professional…
Self-assessment: Can’t pay your tax bill on time? Here’s what to do to avoid extra…
Self Assessment taxpayers have just days to pay any outstanding tax liabilities in full to avoid additional charges. But there is a solution to avoid incurring penalty charges by setting up an online payment plan for the 2019 to 2020…
Holly Mackay’s money advice: “Think of the Treasury like an evil alien…
Financial guru Holly Mackay of Boring Money proposed some radical advice in one of her latest blogs: "I think every saver has to think of the Treasury like an evil alien force, gathering intel and preparing an invasion. Time to batten down…
The Othership interview: why every freelancer needs a community to turn to and how to find one
When the first lockdown took hold over the UK, many freelancers had their financial and social lifelines severed. To say these freelancers need a change of scenery after a year in isolation is an understatement.
The Freelance Informer…
How embroidery saved us in lockdown, business and on the red carpet – should more freelancers…
During these extraordinary times, many people have turned to craft to help deal with the anxieties and loneliness produced by the pandemic. One segment that saw a surge in the past year in our homes, startups and even on Hollywood's red…
Veganomics: the numbers and trends behind the vegan retail boom
Aquaman star Jason Momoa has launched two limited-edition vegan trainers (sneakers) made from algae as part of his collaboration with climbing brand So iLL and algae recycling specialist BLOOM.
This is yet another vegan…
Grandma’s secret sauce: First-time entrepreneur launches on-trend business in her 70s
If you ever think you are too old or unsavvy to set up a business in your golden years, hold that thought. You may want to check your self-doubt at the door after reading the inspiring startup story of Akila Chollalingham.
The name…
The payday trick that every freelancer should have up their sleeve
Never want another sleepless night worrying about how you are going to pay for the mortgage or rent? That emergency car repair bill? Your kids' school fees? Your tax bill? There is a trick that freelancers can use every month to put their…
Contractors get the chop
ContractorCalculator urges in a press release for agencies and end-clients to terminate contractor contracts before April
When Freelance Informer received the below press release in its Inbox, it was taken aback by the headline, and…
YunoJuno hiring to scale up for “freelance revolution”
YunoJuno, a job platform for tech and creative freelancers, is looking to expand its team in almost every area of the company, Runar Reistrup, the company's CEO announced in a LinkedIn post.
"The freelance revolution is happening…
Under 50s: NHS bosses expect COVID jab shortage in April yet vaccine makers deny claims
News that the UK has impressively vaccinated 25 million people was overshadowed this week after it was revealed that the NHS faces major shortages of vaccine doses next month, it has been reported by Politics Home.
The news report said…
Startup Challenge: £60,000-worth of free PR consultancy up for grabs
Influence EMobility has announced a challenge for e-mobility startups offering a year's free global PR consultancy to the winning entrant. Don't think your business concept fits this sector? Think again.
E-mobility is not just about…
Want to freelance or trade with the EU? Here’s some free VAT tips
If you want to provide freelance services to clients based in the EU, or are a business that imports or exports products with the EU, there are some tax issues you need to be aware of, such as, how do you account for VAT?
The Freelance…
Cyber insurance: the new must-have for freelancers?
Figures collected by cyber security company Nexor found that the UK experienced a 31% rise in cybercrime amid the pandemic. How did freelancers react?
Cyber-attacks on UK home workers were up 48% in the first six weeks of lockdown, so…
Battle of the sexes: divorce spurs demand for female IFAs
A growing number of women in their 50s and 60s who are going through a divorce or managing a sudden inheritance are having initial encounters with male financial advisers leaving them "underwhelmed" and "patronised", according to…
IR35: Freelancers urged to update their contracts before April
In advance of IR35 legislation coming to fruition this April, now is the time to comb through your freelancer contracts to ensure that they are an accurate description of your working relationship with your clients. It could also be an…
Fourth SEISS to affect future claims of existing claimants
Now that the fourth Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will finally provide grant support to the self-employed and partnerships who began trading during the 2019/20 tax year, it could mean existing claimants might get a…
It’s been four years since the BBC Dad video
Robert Kelly, the international political analyst also known as the BBC Dad, that made 'working from home' famous long before Zoom meetings took over our daily lives, is celebrating four years since the famous BBC interview aired.
…
Want to work for the Royal Family? They’re hiring!
The British Royal Family has several job openings. If you have a background or interest in Sustainability and Digital Learning, then you could make a good fit for the following positions.
The Household of TRH The Prince of Wales and The…
COVID: what has happened to all the self-employed dentists?
The measures announced by the Chancellor last year to support the self-employed during the COVID-19 outbreak did not support the majority of self-employed dentists, The British Dental Association (BDA) has reported.
…
“Smartless” mystery guest podcast with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett proving…
On the hunt for something to listen to that does not ask much of you other than your willingness to listen to hilarious banter and learn some interesting facts about famous and successful people? Then "SmartLess", a podcast hosted by…
Royal family bill to UK taxpayers at all-time high. What are we paying for?
When one thinks of Britain some iconic images immediately come to mind, and the Royal Family is without a doubt one of them, alongside Queen Elizabeth II's corgis and dorgis, copious amounts of tea and biscuits, pubs, Big Ben, the Houses…
Domicile diversification: is it just for the rich?
Entrepreneurs, high-net-worths and nomadic remote workers opt for domicile diversification and a new form of global mobility
COVID-19 has led to a spike in affluent entrepreneurs and international investors building up a diversified…
Executive assistant’s life-long dream comes true after redundancy
After being made redundant from her full-time job after 19 years as an executive assistant during the first lockdown, Patricia J Valenti took the plunge and set up her own business. Valenti says Covid-19 has led her to embrace her talent…
Contract recruiter Outsource UK survives pandemic and expands national coverage
Specialist contract and freelance recruitment company Outsource UK has weathered one of the most trying economic periods for the recruitment sector and completed a management buyout.
The Swindon-based firm has expanded organically and…
IR35: legislation changes in Budget that freelancers may have missed
Important changes to the new IR35 regime were announced in the Budget (3 March 2021), according to an Insights report from the Osborne Clarke Workforce Solutions team.
The team reported that in addition to the Budget announcements,…
Hopin: why it’s the fastest-growing startup in the world and hiring like mad
Many of you may be surprised to learn that the fastest growing company - probably in the world - is not only British but is an international events company. That company is Hopin and it's hiring like mad. To learn more about this company's…
Top 10 sectors for freelancers and small businesses to get work in 2021
The beauty of being an entrepreneurial-minded freelancer or small business owner is your freedom to pivot your skills or assets to industries that are experiencing high growth. Don't know which industries those are? Wondering how you could…
How has the 2021 budget impacted freelancers and business owners?
The Chancellor's 2021 Budget has revealed that the corporation tax will increase, but not until April 2023. The rate will rise from 19% to 25%. However, smaller companies with profits below £50,000 will be exempt from the increase. The…
Budget 2021: Where to tune in and latest on Help to Grow Scheme, self-employed taxes
Millions of freelancers, contractors and business owners will be glued to their screens today to learn what the Chancellor's budget has in store for them. A gradual hike in corporation tax seems to be one of the sure bets, with national…
Footballers, sports pros struggle to get mortgages
Most sports professionals have short term contracts, which can often mean an onerous mortgage application process. Lloyd Wells Mortgages highlights the challenges and how sports pros, like other self-employed individuals, can boost their…
IR35: Royal Mail contractors to lose independent status and pay umbrella fees
The Royal Mail will likely place its off-payroll workforce, even those with a questionable or 'likely' inside IR35 status, into pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) working arrangements by this April, the company has confirmed with Computer Weekly.
…
Argos blanket bans UK contractors and outsources digital jobs overseas – another IR35 backfire…
Sainsbury's-owned Argos is preparing to offshore the work of its Milton Keynes-based digital team to Mumbai, India, having determined its contractors to be working inside IR35, Computer Weekly has reported. The news comes at a time…
Regular rapid COVID-19 tests for all households and bubbles with school children
Whole families and households with primary school, secondary school and college-age children, including childcare and support bubbles, will be able to get a COVID-19 test twice every week at home as schools return from 8 March.
"Tests…
Best advice for SaaS startups: for one, stop acting like a non-profit
Free trials for SaaS startups have their benefits, but at some point, you have to spot when big enterprise might be getting one over on you, according to Itxaso del Palacio, a partner at Notion Capital, a venture capital firm that invests…
IR35: HMRC to name and shame deliberate defaulters
The HMRC has said that it will identify and correct non-compliance with the off-payroll working rules by using a 'robust risk assessment'.
The tax body says it will identify and target the areas where hiring companies ('customers') are…
Government needs to abolish stamp duty tax says policy think tank
Stamp duty may well be the "worst tax on the UK’s statute books" and it might be high time the government "abolished" it, proposed a data analyst with the Centre for Policy Studies.
Jethro Elsden a data analyst and an author of a…
Grandpa just bought Bitcoin – why Bitcoin Boomers and Gen X are hopping on the digital gold…
Baby boomers and Gen X are piling into Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, according to Nigel Green, market observer and CEO of independent financial advisory firm deVere Group.
A global poll of clients aged over 55 found that 70% of…
British drivers avoid insurance hike
British drivers will avoid an estimated £50 a year increase in motor insurance costs as the government confirms it plans to do away with the controversial EU ‘Vnuk’ law, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced.
Government…
French Chateaus for sale: turning a dream home into a business
Some French chateaus and manor houses are coming in less expensive than the average sale price of a London home, so it is worth a look.
The benefits of remote working have granted many people across the UK the flexibility and…
‘Startup Starmer’: what he will do for entrepreneurs if he gets voted in as PM
Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer and The Institute of Directors (IoD) have something in common. They are both calling to put entrepreneurs at the heart of the recovery, and avoid damaging tax hikes. However, just days after the…
Are Contractors now King? Uber Supreme Court judgement has wider implications for all UK freelancer…
The 'Uber' Supreme Court case judgment Aslam & Farrar v Uber if tested wider could instigate a major shakeup of the UK's freelancer and contractor economy. Potentially, a welcome one for independent workers, that is if they retain…
Challenger banks – do small business owners trust them?
Alongside self-employed and side hustlers who are estimated to contribute £125 million to the UK's economic recovery in 2021, it’s thought that small and medium-sized businesses will contribute approximately £310.46 billion back into the…
Freelancers, take a bow. You will contribute £125bn to the UK’s economic recovery. But which…
Self-employed workers and side hustlers are estimated to contribute £125 billion to drive the UK’s economic recovery in 2021, according to a report by Mettle, Natwest's e-money account geared for the UK's self-employed, and YouGov.
The…
IR35 and the government’s broken equalisation argument: “Employment law doesn’t…
Could the Treasury's argument for private-sector IR35 tax equalisation scheme of freelancers be flawed? In some ways verging on the unjust? Will certain segments of the self-employed workforce now be paying for the privilege to work? These…
Which mortgage lenders have tightest restrictions on self-employed and contractors?
It’s becoming harder to get a mortgage if you’re self-employed, which is nothing new for those that have tried to apply for a self-employed mortgage while the stamp duty holiday is in effect.
However, news that Santander is the latest…
Help to Buy mortgage range launched for self-employed and contractors
The Mortgage Lender has expanded its recently launched residential range with the addition of Help to Buy in England and Wales. Initial rates, which are available for self-employed and complex income borrowers, start at 3.77 per cent for a…
Could your skills be adapted for the booming electric vehicle market?
The Electric vehicle (EV) market is booming. Sales are expected to reach 62 million units per year by 2050, with a total global EV stock of 700 million, according to new research from Wood Mackenzie. Will you get an early market…
Latest government funding for electric vehicles and charge points – plus the latest models and…
The UK's Department for Transport has reported that it will provide funding to small businesses and those in leasehold and rented accommodation to install electric vehicle (EV) charge points. That means small businesses, including…
PR and Comms salaries revealed – is it time to negotiate your pay rate and benefits?
Despite movement in salaries for in-house communications teams or agencies remaining stagnant, if you don't know how your pay and benefits package compares to others, you could find that you are seriously underpaid. This is especially the…
Freelancers behind this top stock’s growth in 2020 (only Tesla beat it)
The economic ramifications of the pandemic drove companies to pivot to digital business models and simultaneously cut back on permanent, office-based workforces. Freelancers were integral to this shift and the global economy's ability to…
‘Mask doubling and knotting’ method nearly doubles protection against COVID according to…
Many of us believe we are protecting ourselves and curbing the spread of the COVID virus by wearing a mask, but new research from the global health protection agency, the CDC, has revealed that we may be only protected by half. That's like…
Kickstart Scheme: small businesses can now apply thanks to gateways
Kickstart Scheme axes 30-job minimum requirement
Employers no longer need a minimum of 30 job placements to access the government’s Kickstart Scheme. This means small and medium-sized businesses can apply directly. But businesses can…
HMRC deferred VAT pilot scheme volunteers awarded interest-free perks – deadline to sign-up 12…
HMRC is urging businesses that deferred VAT payable between 20 March and 30 June 2020 to participate in a pilot scheme this week to test the new payment scheme before 12 February, the ICAEW reported.
VAT registered businesses could…
Texts and Emails of NHS frontline staff to be used as evidence in COVID public inquiry
A group of frontline NHS doctors are taking the government to court
Dr Samantha Batt-Rawden, an NHS senior intensive care registrar and President of The DA UK, a non-profit organisation of frontline NHS doctors, said over the weekend…
Glimmer of hope over stamp duty holiday extension (for some)
A campaign led by the property sector to extend the Stamp Duty Tax holiday saw a glimmer of hope last week when Jesse Norman, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury said the government and HM Treasury would consider ‘substantial…
Funny business: Stanford study shows how to use humour to land more clients
"Laughter is like exercising, meditating and having sex at the same time."Naomi Bagdonas, Lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Executive Coach
Leaders with a sense of humour make more moneyTop executives (98 per…
FreelanceHER 100: How an accelerator is jump-starting freelance careers for women who lost their…
What's happening?
Over the next 12-weeks, 110 women will be kick-starting their careers as freelancers in the North West of England thanks to a fully-funded Accelerator programme called FreelancerHER 100. The accelerator's mission is to…
Amazon To Pay $61.7m in tips back to Flex Drivers
Amazon will pay more than $61.7m to settle US Federal Trade Commission charges that it failed to pay US-based Amazon Flex drivers the full amount of tips they received from Amazon customers over a two and a half year period. The…
Rishi Sunak live on Twitter discussing #PlanForJobs
https://twitter.com/RishiSunak/status/1357320399877406722?s=20
Former Depop CEO makes career move to scale up freelancer economy
Freelancer platform, YunoJuno, has appointed Runar Reistrup, former CEO of fashion marketplace Depop, as CEO. The hire comes at a time where YunoJuno has experienced a 150% month on month increase in clients looking for freelance talent…
COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca trials confirm 100% protection against severe disease, hospitalisation…
Increased efficacy with longer inter-dose intervalProtection of over 70% starting after a first doseFirst indication of reduction in disease transmission of up to 67%AstraZeneca is also seeking Emergency Use Listing from the World Health…
Don’t be a tax relief loser – here’s how to protect your hard-earned cash
Time is of the essence to get the most out of your pension and savings tax relief for the 2020/21 tax year, especially with chatter that Chancellor Sunak may increase Capital Gains Tax. For company owners and directors in the process of…
Calling all car, cab and cyclist owners – has your policy been hit by this failed insurer?…
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has reported that that Gibraltar-based Prometheus Insurance Company Ltd (PICL) "failed" on 27 January 2021. The company was previously trading as Tradewise Insurance Company Ltd.
FSCS is…
Government social media campaign warns holidays abroad are ‘illegal’
COVID-19 travel
It is illegal to travel abroad for holidays and other leisure purposes, the Foreign and Commonwealth office has reported. UK travel and leisure businesses must prepare for a bumper UK summer holiday season until…
UK professional services sector is hot, hiring, and boosting salaries – plus more recruitment…
Over a third (34%) of employees in professional services – banking and financial services, accounting & finance, legal, technology – will receive a pay increase this year, which goes to show the economic value and sustainability of the…
Most in-demand freelance services, according to Google
Online searches on Google for freelancers has increased over the past year, particularly for those with digital marketing skills, according to a report by insurance broker PolicyBee.
So, while the pandemic has been an understandable…
Create the home office of your dreams (even if you have to share it )
One of the benefits of #Workstyle, working from home, flexible working, or running your own business from home is that you have carte blanche to create the home office of your dreams. There is a space in your home waiting to get your…
Kwasi says pay up: Small business invoices must be paid in 30 days under new gov regs
Businesses owners, Finance Directors and CEOs will be required to take personal responsibility by signing the Prompt Payment Code. Breaches will be investigated and made public.
The UK government's Prompt Payment Code has been revised…
Closing your company? Companies House to pause voluntary and compulsory strike-off processes for one…
Companies House will pause its strike-off processes for companies closing their companies to cope with their reduced number of staff during Lockdown and related delays in processing correspondence, documents and forms.
Voluntary and…
MPs and HMRC could change terms of next SEISS to jump-start excluded businesses
A Parliamentary committee has expressed its belief that the Treasury could include the newly self-employed in the next round of SEISS grants, taking account of tax returns now being filed for 2019-20.
Others that have been left out,…
UK SMEs dash for last chance cash schemes
Small and medium businesses in the UK are hoping for a major breakthrough to be announced by the Treasury on the Directors Income Support Scheme (DISS) as they grapple with the prospects of an end to cash schemes and wage hikes among other…
Property industry petitions Sunak to extend Stamp Duty exemption for 6 months
With the March deadline for the stamp duty holiday on the horizon, the UK property industry has urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to consider extending the exemption on the first £500,000 of residential property purchases.
MPs will debate…
IR 35 and UK’s gig and contractor economy: expect an exodus to umbrella companies in 2021
Gig workers and multi-sector contractors, popularly linked with cab-hailing, delivery platforms and staffing agencies, will see big changes in how they are classified on or off-payroll and how they are taxed after April. Many will feel…
Fate of limited company directors and PAYE contractors in HMRC’s hands
The Directors Income Support Scheme, known as DISS, is expected to hear of the Treasury's decision in a matter of days, Forgotten Ltd. has confirmed with The Freelance Informer.
Northern Ireland has outpaced the UK this month on its…
Ineligible COVID vaccine candidates jump jab queue through IT loophole
Covid vaccinations meant to protect the vulnerable and NHS health workers in the UK have gone to ineligible people due to an IT loophole, an Evening Standard investigation reported this week.
People who are not yet…
Goodbye 9 to 5 office life: UK companies must prep for flexible working boom after lockdown, says…
Employers and hiring companies ought to buckle up for a slew of flexible working applications once the current lockdown ends, according to Theta Global Advisors – a chartered accountancy and consultancy firm specialising in freelance…
Kids and chores: how to win the battle and create money-smart kids
When your child leaves the nest, you might look back with the hope that your child-rearing skills provided enough lessons on street smarts to get them by in this world. But as they venture off, another thought may come into your head: does…
UK businesses win right to COVID business interruption insurance payouts: Are you eligible to claim?
The UK's Supreme Court has ruled that hundreds of thousands of UK businesses that attempted to claim for coronavirus-related business interruption losses will receive insurance payouts. The court's decision follows the Financial…
Self-employed and freelancers fed up with late payments – is it time for the government to…
Freelancers’ financial situations have been seriously impacted by an increase in late payments during the pandemic with one million UK freelancers being pushed into debt since the pandemic hit, according to a report by IPSE (the…
No jab, no job? Mandatory COVID vaccination could take off in 2021 to keep staff and businesses…
Pimlico Plumbers Chairman Charlie Mullins thinks it is a "no brainer" that all his staff should be vaccinated against the coronavirus. He is willing to go one step further and encourage mandatory vaccination against the virus written into…
Fake news contractors for hire: ‘manipulated’ social media campaigns operating in 81…
Freelancers and third party contractors are being targeted for disinformation-for-hire services to run social media smear campaigns across 81 countries, according to the 2020 media manipulation survey from the Oxford University's Oxford…
Morrisons sets minimum wage at £10 an hour from April, enforces face mask rule for customers
Morrisons has become the first supermarket chain in the UK to reach a minimum pay milestone of £10 an hour for all colleagues who have passed their probation period.
In addition to the hourly pay increase, Morrisons will pay a…
Slack IR35 communication could spur contractor walkouts and skills shortage
More than half of the 1400 contractors surveyed by IR35 compliance specialist, Qdos, said that they had not been contacted by their end client regarding IR35. With less than three months to go before IR35 reform is active should…
How a Wiltshire ‘Beer Ambulance’ saved a pub and united a community
Gordon Edwards and his wife Sam may run the smallest pub in Wiltshire, but that hasn't stopped them from launching a grand idea that has been delivering much more than craft ales in lockdown: smiles and an entrepreneurial spirit.
In the…
Care homes turning hospital patients away due to COVID insurance premium hikes: should taxpayers or…
Care homes in the UK are getting hit with extortionate insurance premium rate hikes, some as high as 60% or more, albeit with COVID liability less coverage, as insurers look to avoid costly litigation should an outbreak occur onsite. The…
Level 5 restrictions coming into effect this week: “These restrictions will not last…
COVID UPDATE: Level 5 restrictions and extra measures taken by the public and corporate Britain have already started to become part of daily life this week: stricter mask-wearing protocols
Morrisons has led the challenge of the UK…
Livin’ the vida local: Airbnb hosts prep for bumper spring and summer
Airbnb's 4.4 million hosts should prepare for a bumper spring and summer of bookings as pandemic weary holidaymakers stay close to home. Jet setters will also divert their holiday plans to local destinations. That means luxury, remote and…
Testing times for travellers: how to avoid pre-travel COVID test fines and get airline tickets…
The UK has surpassed other nations in administering COVID vaccines, but with the COVID variant still a mystery to contend with, international travel will be restricted both for outbound and inbound travel. Then there are the strict…
Google and Alphabet workers form union – what will it mean for its 60,000 temps, vendors and…
Google and other Alphabet company workers have created a union. What makes it different is that it will be open to all employees and contractors at any Alphabet company. The union will have dues-paying members, an elected board of…
Solo self-employed numbers to rise in 2021 as will their ‘economic inequality’, says…
Many Freelance Informer readers are aware that self-employment has risen dramatically in the UK over the past decade. What many may not know is that it has been entirely driven by ‘solo’ self-employment – sole traders and owner-managers…
UK: “Billions of pounds of furlough support wasted” with another 7.5m jobs at stake…
Billions of pounds in taxpayer funds may have been wasted if a solutions-based support scheme is not put in place for limited company bosses, a tax policy proposal being examined this week by the government has warned. Up to 7.5 million…
BREXIT trade deal: what it means for globe-trotting freelancers, staffing agencies and their…
Welcome back to the Freelancers' Couch. This week we tackle a question from a globe-trotting freelancer on doing business in the EU in a post-Brexit marketplace.
Q: One of the reasons I became a contractor was to have the flexibility to…
No more margaritas: Restaurateur Brothers banned for failing to pay £173,000 in taxes
Brothers Carlos Enrique De La Cruz Vidal (51), from South East London, and Fernando De La Cruz Vidal (52), from Granada in Spain, are now banned from acting as directors or directly or indirectly becoming involved, without the permission…
BREXIT: Six UK credit rating agencies and four trade repositories stripped of UK trading rights
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the supervisor of European Union (EU) credit rating agencies (CRAs) and trade repositories (TRs), has withdrawn the registrations of the following UK-based credit rating agencies…
The missing billions: ONS records miss £800bn in assets owned by ‘super-rich’
The ONS’ main data on wealth misses almost £800 billion of assets held by the wealthiest 1 per cent of UK households and correcting for this oversight means UK wealth inequality is higher than previously thought, according to new…
Sunak sets sights on self-employed and CGT tax hikes
The UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has expressed that the self-employed should be expected to pay higher taxes.
In an effort to 'equalise' tax contributions and taxpayer support between the salaried, self-employed and…
Millions of business deposits could be unprotected under savings comp scheme – time to shop…
Many small businesses in the UK will bank with the same outfit for both their personal and business affairs thinking their personal and business deposits are protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). But that could…
Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine approved, jabs to be given as early as next week
Britain became the first country today to authorise the coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca. The first jabs will be administered as early as next week.
The medicines regulator has given the green…
Facebook to launch freelancer and gig jobs platform
Facebook is planning to enter the gig economy platform business by letting its users find and book services through its app. The bold move could position the social media giant as a competitor to gig economy marketplaces such as…
Half off gifts at The Natural History Museum – there’s something for everyone
The Natural History Museum Shop is offering a huge 50% discounts off selected ranges including homeware, adult and kid’s clothing, and toys from 21 December and throughout January while stocks last. Purchases will support the Natural…
Death of dear friend on building site inspires construction worker compensation startup
In 2014, when an accident on a building site resulted in the death of their mutual friend, the founders of US-Australian Safesite were inspired to launch a platform to streamline and digitize safety programmes. That app has since…
The most popular freelance and small business startups in 2020 – you won’t believe #1!
The freelancer and small business professions with the most growth over the past year may surprise you. According to Simply Business, a digital insurance broker that serves small businesses and landlords, the company had a record year for…
2021: New Year’s Resolutions that freelancers and the self-employed can actually achieve
The Freelance Informer is run by freelancers so we know first-hand that the roller coaster ride of self-employment is as exhilarating as it is scary.
The past year, was the mother of all roller coasters; jam-packed with thrills and…
China: Is it a good time for freelancers and SMEs to target the world’s fastest-growing…
E-commerce in China accounts for about a third of all retail sales in China, and therefore nearly half of all e-commerce globally, according to Shopify. With markets looking depressed in the UK and Europe could now be an…
Farm shop boom set for 2021 as government awards farmers £21m in grants and Brexit phases out direct…
If you have ever dreamed of opening up your own farm shop, 2021 could be your year. Farm shops are opening at a faster rate than ever and farmers’ markets are proving a great way for producers to test the retail water without a large…
🎁Freelance Informer’s Guide to Gift Giving (on a budget)🎁
Whether you are a freelancer on a budget or if you are shopping for a fellow freelancer, then get scrolling and clicking with our #Freelance Informer's Guide to Gift Giving on Budget
Brexit border delays: Tips on how small business owners can manage customer expectations and cash
The majority (61%) of UK business owners are optimistic that the UK government will be able to strike a Brexit deal with their European counterparts in the coming days, according to a survey of 5,000 UK business owners. However, most…
Universal Credit set to be paid early in December
Universal Credit Claimants could see their payments made slightly earlier this December to take into account of the bank holidays. We have provided the estimated dates below based on the government's website.
Bank holiday payment dates
…
Cybersecurity firms not safe from attack
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on Sunday night issued Emergency Directive 21-01, in response to a known compromise involving SolarWinds Orion products that are currently being exploited by malicious…
Business charity calls on MP Paul Scully to initiate Self-employed Recovery Strategy and grants for…
The charity, Money Advice Trust, which is behind charities National Debtline and Business Debtline, has written to the Minister for Small Business, Paul Scully, to make the case for a dedicated ‘Covid-19 Self-employment Recovery…
No-deal Brexit means ALL UK business travellers and service engineers to face hefty fines without…
If you plan on carrying out work or services in the EU after January 1st, even if you are self-employed or a director of your own limited company, then you will need a special permit to do so. That includes visiting a conference or…
IR35 and ‘Indecisive’: HMRC CEST tool leaves freelancers and contractors in limbo
HMRC’s IR35 tool, Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST), has been monitored and the results have shown that the online tool has been unable to deliver a verdict for enquiring contractors and freelancers over 188,000 times in the past…
Fishy business: City of London’s market rights are conveniently ‘missing’ in…
The European Commission has not included financial services in an emergency no-deal contingency plan should the last ditch Brexit trade talks fail in Brussels on Sunday 13 December.
Why? On the grounds that further market access in…
File your taxes early to help secure third SEISS grant
Filing your taxes early may help you secure the third SEISS grant, according to a report by Which?
The UK’s third self-employed grant to cover eligible businesses between February 2021 to April 2021 must be claimed on or before the…
Top tips to handle your kids’ holiday gift expectations when money is tight
Many children across the UK, and pretty much every corner of the world, grew up a little faster than parents may have wished this year. That largely came down to lockdown social isolation, but probably more so, parental finances becoming…
Severe allergy sufferers advised to avoid Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine but perhaps not forever say…
If more cases of allergic reactions do come to light, or a stance by the global medical profession takes a similar path to that now being taken for the flu jab, we could see regulators still encourage people to take the vaccine in time.…
Which governments have valued freelancers and startups the most during the pandemic?
As previously reported, The Freelance Informer has highlighted the failure of the UK government to support all its self-employed taxpayers whether that is in the form of a freelancer or limited company startup. This lack of support has…
Croatia luring tech, finance and marketing foreign talent with digital nomad visas
If you would like to live the Mediterranean lifestyle and have lower costs of living than those in the UK, then Croatia might be a destination you could call home thanks to a new digital nomad visa scheme.
The first concrete regulatory…
PayPal refuses customer fraud claims
Scammers are wise to how PayPal investigates fraud and as a result, PayPal users are falling into new traps, according to a Which? report.
For example, if a customer makes a buyer protection claim, PayPal will usually accept a…
Will Sunak welcome a UK Freelance Commissioner?
In a joint letter from IPSE, the Creative Industries Federation, Prospect and the Federation of Small Businesses, it has been argued that freelancers have made many UK industries “highly innovative, fast-growing and world-leading”.…
Greece entices international freelancers with tax breaks and residency in bid to replace lost…
Greece's parliament has passed a new law this month allowing digital nomads to half their income tax, which will likely attract more international freelancers and remote-working talent to the idyllic destination.
From January 2021,…
Sole traders banking app self-certifies for COVID support
Being your own boss has its perks, but when it comes to proving your creditworthiness, it's not so clear cut and can be a major source of dread for sole traders. That is why an app called 'Covid Credit' was developed by a consortium of…
Brits could be banned entry to EU from January 1st
British nationals planning to travel to any of the European Union Member States after January 1 for purposes that are not absolutely essential, risk being banned from entering these countries amid the Coronavirus pandemic, Schengen Visa…
App bags government funding to create the ‘Uber’ of the construction trade
The money will go towards ushering in a new dawn of transparency, safety and security features for the trade and home development sector
Benjamin Dyer, CEO of Powered Now, comments on the revolutionary technology and discusses how…
COVID Immunity passports: would you get one if it meant keeping a job or contract?
COVID Immunity passports could provide much-needed reassurances to businesses, employers, colleagues, transport companies, airlines, local communities and policymakers. However, some are debating civil liberties and health data could be…
Millions in funding opportunities available for UK businesses – we have the details and how to…
Please see below a list of all the current funding opportunities available to UK businesses on behalf of Innovate UK. Do make sure you check individual competition dates as they may have been extended.
For example, UK registered SMEs…
Tiered approach has curbed COVID cases, masks still vital even with vaccine say medical experts
Swab tests on over 105,000 people as part of a major research study have shown that coronavirus infections are declining in England.
An interim report from the Imperial College of London's REACT programme, which includes results from…
Brexit was deciding factor for swift UK COVID vaccine approval and deployment, rural areas to see…
The MHRA, EMA and FDA have different procedures which need to be completed before they can take a decision on an application for use of a new drug/vaccine. So, why is the UK's MHRA the first in the world to approve a COVID-19 vaccine? It…
Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine to be made available next week
The UK government has authorised the first COVID-19 vaccine on independent advice of its medicines regulator, leading to the first vaccines to become available next week, the government has reported today.
The Government has today…
Retail & hospitality: how to operate in the new UK tiered restrictions and why it’s…
Welcome Back to The Freelance Informer Coffee Break Video Series.
In this session, we go to this week’s FT Business Clinic. The Q&A session focuses on how business leaders and smaller outfits must now adapt to operate within the…
COVID-19 Vaccine Update:UK medical regulator could approve COVID vaccines before the US; Cambridge…
There are several potential vaccines for COVID-19 in the later stages of phase III trials. If one or more is approved and authorised as safe and effective by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA), the NHS has stated in a…
Third self-employed grant: deadline and how to apply, fourth grant to become available says HMRC
The UK's third self-employed grant to cover eligible businesses between February 2021 to April 2021 must be claimed on or before the deadline of 29 January 2021.
The Freelance Informer has outlined how to apply below. The HMRC has said…
Delivery boom or doom: Couriers are hiring in the thousands, but at what cost to self-employed…
The courier business is booming and not just for those making the deliveries, but those serving the sector, such as the back-office software that makes the supply chain and delivery process tick over, such as Metapack, who is hiring.
…
Where to invest your cash? Here are the historically best performing assets
If you had to invest your cash over a long period of time, which asset would give you the best chance for a solid or good return? Stocks and commodities, such as coffee can fluctuate severely, but if you have a diversified bundle of…
Tory party ‘excludes’ 2m small companies that support 7.5million jobs – Has the…
"The government’s lack of support for directors has effectively demonised a class of businesses that support 7.5m UK jobs, which will be lost if these companies fail," writes Claer Barrett, a Financial Times Serious Money columnist.
…
Finndon to pay your rent/mortgage for a year!
To make 2021 kick off with a much-needed bang, Finndon, a soon to be launched challenger digital bank, is launching “It’s Live Rent Free Season” and are offering one lucky winner the chance to have their rent paid for ONE entire year.…
Company founders and execs race to sell down stakes over anticipated capital gains tax hike
The Office for Tax Simplification (OTS) proposals published this week could see the number of UK taxpayers subject to capital gains tax (CGT) triple, according to tax experts, who warn investors should be on "high alert" over the…
Remote workforce to spur new microbusiness opportunities and open barriers for talent
More than 20 per cent of the global workforce could work remotely three to five days a week as effectively as they could if working from an office, according to a report published by McKinsey.
"If remote work took hold at that…
World’s first First Femtech accelerator programme now open for applications – apply now!
The day has arrived! 😃 The FemTech Lab #accelerator programme is now opening for #applications. 🤗
The first FemTech Lab cohort is scheduled February-April 2021. Applications will open on December 1st.
If you have a great…
Construction companies in the dark over IR35 tax regs: are your clients up to speed to keep your job…
An IR35 education drive is urgently needed as the majority of construction businesses are unprepared for significant changes to contractor tax legislation, according to a survey by Randstad Construction, Property & Engineering (CPE).…
Contractors under pressure: HMRC re-opens IR35 enquiries and looks to open new cases, says Qdos…
With the effects of the pandemic on the UK economy, it is not surprising that HMRC’s compliance activity seems to be increasing in all areas, according to IR35 specialist Qdos.
"The Treasury will be looking for the effects of HMRC’s…
Growing sales in uncertain times – learn tips and tricks
In this Freelance Informer Coffee Break video session, we thought you'd like to hear what Head of Google for Startups, Marta Krupinska, had to say while speaking with fellow entrepreneurs and startup founders. The theme of the panel was…
Morrisons own-brand champagne beats luxury brands in taste test
A bottle of Morrisons Adrien Chopin Brut Champagne at just £18 beat big name luxury brands, such Moët & Chandon’s Imperial Brut Champagne at £36, in an expert panel taste test. Other supermarket own-brands also came up trumps,…
Local restrictions support grant available for closed businesses – are you eligible?
Businesses required to close due to the national restrictions which started on 5 November 2020, may be eligible for a grant.
Eligible businesses will receive a one-off grant to support them during the four-week closure and help…
The party’s not cancelled: the stars and companies creating the perfect ‘virtual’…
If you like this article please share on social media.
The Freelance Informer understands that not all of us will have the luxury of spending the holidays in-person or celebrating the back of 2020 with family and friends, that is why we…
Gov ban on movement of agency care staff follows first high court challenge on COVID hospital…
Staffing agencies and recruiters of temporary staff placed in care homes will be scrambling to put their concerns forward by Monday, 23 November, midday, as the government holds a consultation, only launched last Friday 13 November, which…
Top tech innovations to watch in 2021: how could they shape your career?
Some of the top tech innovations that will have the greatest impact over the next 10 years, may surprise you - excite you - and some might even get your nose right out of joint.
According to Lux Research, the technology that will…
Follow the green funding: environmental, forestry and STEM freelancers and SMEs in for a bumper 2021
Plans to help kickstart the UK's 'green recovery' have been unveiled this week, including the expansion of protected landscapes, increased access to nature, stronger flood resilience, and the creation and retention of thousands of green…
Self-employed estate agent ‘associate’ model reaps its rewards with uncapped earnings…
A regional wing of Fine & Country has reported a record month - and puts it down to the self-employed ‘associate’ business model which the agency operates, Estate Agent Today has reported.
Fine & Country Midlands…
PM names target sectors at heart of 250K green jobs plan – savvy freelancers will spot the…
Think the 'green' sector doesn't apply to your business? Think again. Any freelancer should read through the PM's target sectors and think of how they could pivot or blend their goods or services to any of those segments and the likely…
IR35 biggest threat to survival of UK freelance economy, says report
There is rising concern among limited company directors that the deliberate decision of the UK government to exclude limited company directors from SEISS may be set in stone as each furlough or self-employed package arises, yet again…
Roarsome Offers – 50% off this winter at the Natural History Museum Shop
The Natural History Museum Shop is offering some Roarsome discounts this winter with 50% off selected ranges including adult and kid’s gifts, t-shirts and homeware.
Between 16 November -23November there will be a 50% discount…
Deutsche WFH tax now referred to ‘WTF tax’ – here’s what startup founders…
Deutsche Bank's globally proposed 5% remote worker tax has had some mixed feedback, but for the most part, you can expect "outrageous," "ludicrous," "unnecessary," and even "discriminatory" to be among the responses of startups and their…
Life lessons according to deVere Group’s Nigel Green
Welcome back to the Freelance Informers' Coffee Break Video Series.
This week we found some inspiring videos from Nigel Green, the Chief Executive Officer of the deVere Group – one of the world’s largest Independent Financial…
UPDATE: UK government puts in order for Moderna COVID vaccine – how does it stack up against…
Moderna has 94.5% efficacy, longer shelf life, and effective in older and BAME individualsAccording to Dr Zoltán Kis, Research Associate at the Future Vaccine Manufacturing Hub, Imperial College London, BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine can be…
Want to be £47K better off and boost your confidence?
Financial advice not only pays for itself, but boosts confidence and preparedness for retirement, a new report finds.
People who take financial advice are, on average, £47,000 better off in retirement than people who don’t - and this is…
How to get a free NHS COVID home test kit if you have symptoms
Read the following before ordering a COVID test online. Please note England and Northern Ireland have different symptom and home test ordering timelines than Scotland and Wales. We have outlined, based on the latest government information,…
IR35 + Brexit: 2021 to be recruitment hell for UK interim contractors and UK Plc turnarounds
The pernicious effects of IR35 are bearing down on Interim Management contractors in the UK, according to Leigh Anderson, Managing Director at Bis Henderson Recruitment.
IR35, the HMRC’s reclassification of independent and self-employed…
Retailers relocate £4.2bn of manufacturing to home turf
Retailers to on-shore £4.2 billion of products to the UK over the next 12 months as COVID-19 resets supply chain strategies
70% of Europe’s largest 30 retailers have conducted a review of their supply chains because of COVID-19, with…
Trade and construction to be backbone of UK economy this winter
The construction and trade sectors have seen particular growth following the lift in the spring lockdown according to PMI data, and this upward trajectory is expected to continue. The continuation of trade in the construction sector will…
Brit freelancers in EU face bank account closures and disruption
Many of the 1.8 million British expats living in Europe will have their UK bank accounts closed imminently because of Brexit – and they should urgently seek alternatives to “sidestep avoidable issues.”
“We only have a matter of weeks…
IKEA #BuyBackBlackFriday: is it still on?
Forty per cent of UK consumers regret a Black Friday purchase, but only 14% will actually return anything, according to a recent USwitch survey report. If that purchase was made at IKEA there's a chance you could get some money back for…
New immigration rules take effect in December – how will they impact international…
The UK government has finally released the details of the proposed new Immigration Rules – some of which come into effect from 1 December. Those relating to EU nationals come into effect from 1 January 2021. Osborne Clarke's Employment and…
Want a career change? NHS Campaign aims to inspire New Recruits and kickstart careers
The NHS is launching a renewed recruitment drive to capitalise on the ‘Nightingale effect’ as the health services contend with the second wave of COVID-19 and the deployment of vaccines to curb the deadly virus across the UK.
The…
Pandemic profit levy targets self-employed and urges SEISS grant clawbacks
An independent think-tank focused on improving the living standards of those on low-to-middle incomes, has proposed in a new report, that the UK government should introduce a new Health and Social Care Levy, alongside a Pandemic Profits…
Breaking news: Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has major glitch to contend with
The UK government has initially pre-ordered a reported 90 million COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and each person will need two doses, three weeks apart to guarantee immunity, it has been reported. That means that covers around 45 million…
#Black Friday & Singles’ Day: top tips to beat online queue boredom
We've all become bargain hunters in these lean times and it comes as no surprise that almost half of adults (46%) — more than 24 million people — in the UK plan to take part in Black Friday sales this year. Taking place on 24 November,…
UK COVID numbers so high China calls temp suspension on UK travellers
The number of lives lost to Covid-19 in the UK has passed 50,000, the government has confirmed on November 11th. The Department of Health said an additional 595 people had died after contracting the virus - bringing the official death toll…
Hopin is hiring (everywhere)!
Hopin, the London-based virtual venue for live online events, hasn't just made lemonade out of lemons during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has for the sake of an analogy, deployed virtual lemonade stands across the world. And event organisers,…
If Boris backs Hydrogen this week it could kickstart thousands of green jobs across the UK
The UK could see more than £3 billion invested in the emerging hydrogen sector as more businesses step forward to pledge funding – but only if PM Boris Johnson backs the low-carbon fuel in his forthcoming Net Zero speech expected this…
Vaccine deployment to spur job and business opportunities
UPDATE:
Since we first published this report it has since been declared in the media that England’s GP services could be scaled back so doctors can immunise people against coronavirus at seven-day-a-week clinics.
Health leaders…
Will writing a book make my business grow?
How to write your own future to lure new leads and clients. A quick guide to self-publishing and time management.
Dear Couch,
Can I write my own future? Can becoming self-published help my business grow and how do I find the time to…
Biden could rattle Brexit trade talks
Priorities first
“Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is one of the most important battles our administration will face, and I will be informed by science and by experts,” said President-elect Biden. “The advisory board…
Trump’s next move
Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has been vandalised two times since he has been President, according to news reports. But like his Tweets, the Star keeps coming back for more time in the limelight. Will we be able to say…
WFH a bit chaotic? Hotel day-rates are still an option
While working from home is essential under the current UK Lockdown, there will be times, when you may need to 'escape' your work-from-home environment for business purposes.
The justification
Have a deal-breaking online presentation…
How to master your own luck in life and business
This is the Freelancer Informer's 1st Coffee Break Video Series. We are scouring out the best videos and also commissioning our own to inform, inspire and empower our readers. We hope that you enjoy this article and the accompanying video.…
Gillian Anderson ignites the drama as The Iron Lady in The Crown Season 4 – what’s in…
The much anticipated Season 4 of The Crown is airing in the UK on November 15, 2020 (8:00 AM GMT).
Here's what's in store, plus the Official Netflix Trailer, and a throwback video of Margaret Thatcher's famous 'The Iron Lady' Speech...
…
UK vaccine Tzar Kate Bingham is unpaid, but her PR bill to taxpayers casts doubts on cost control…
The head of Boris Johnson's vaccine task force, Kate Bingham, who according to her LinkedIn page is Managing Partner of Boston and London-based SV Health Investors, has billed the taxpayer £670,000 for a team of PR consultants from…
“Outside IR35” IT Contract vacancies back on track
It Contractor job site, Outside Spy, has reported that 'Outside IR35' IT Contract vacancies are now entering pre-Lockdown levels. The business has been monitoring the level of IT contract vacancies since the start of 2020, when they first…
Solopreneurs snubbed by Treasury
The UK's furlough scheme, which will be extended in full (80% of salary) until the end of March, with the Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant increased to 80% of profits for November to January, up to a maximum of £7,500,…
Student gigs sector heats up in Lockdown
Companies providing remote working opportunities for students make up a fast-growing new sector, according to a report by Osborne Clarke's Workforce Solutions Sector practice.
With the Covid-19 pandemic accelerating the digitalisation…
BOE pumps £150bn into economy and sees interest rates lowest in history- how could you benefit?
The Bank of England is pumping an extra £150bn of government bonds into the economy as it warned the resurgence of Covid-19 would lead to a slower recovery. The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has reported that it has left…
Netflix for free?
For most of us, money is tight, and with the latest national Lockdown in place and socialising it a no-no, knowing Netflix offers a selection of TV programmes and films to watch for free, is welcome good news in these crazy times.
The…
How the minimum income floor works if you’re self-employed
COVID- changes to MIF
When the Department for Work and Pensions calculates your Universal Credit payment each month, in the recent past, they compared your real earnings with how much they expected you to earn each month - this…
Moving house? Estate agents and removals firms remain open in Lockdown, plus latest on financial…
If you have exchanged on your house during the Lockdown, you can still move home during the latest national Lockdown, according to the government's website. Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work and people…
Gig Worker Prop 22 passed in California – now what?
Drivers and other workers for so-called gig economy companies in California will not become their employees, the New York Times reported.
"California voters carried Uber and Lyft to victory, overwhelmingly approving Proposition 22, a…
Home remedies loved by Freelancers – share yours!
Freelancers cannot afford to get ill. Literally. That is why The Freelance Informer has turned to its Recipe Book of home remedies for a healthy start to the cold season.
User discretion is advised on the following hacks and home…
Microsoft acts fast as hackers masquerade as conference organizers of high profile events
Nation-state cyberattackers are routinely pursuing think tanks, policy organizations and governmental and non-governmental organizations, seeking information that an attacker can use for their benefit. Therefore, if you are an IT…
SEISS: The latest details going into Lockdown
Here is the latest from the UK Government on the increased support for the UK's Self-Employment Income Support Scheme under this week's anticipated National Lockdown measures:
Government increases support under the third…
IR35: Answers to the 10 most frequently asked questions
Kevin Barrow and Frances Lewis, of Osborne Clarke's Workforce Solutions Sector practice, answer the IR35 questions that employers and staffing companies are asking. The questions indicate the line of thinking and concerns carried by these…
CJRS extended: what does this mean for employers, agencies and umbrella contractors?
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) which was due to end on 31 October 2020 has now been extended into December to tie in with the Prime Minister's latest announcement on a new national lockdown (which will start on Thursday 5…
Self-care spotlight: How to spot Grief in yourself and others and overcome it
Grief is often associated with the loss of a loved one, but it can manifest in many forms, and what it may 'look' like for one person is not necessarily the same for another.
According to an article in the McKinsey Quarterly, 'The…
Broke And Without a Buzz
Dear Couch,
Help! I’m broke, However, I need to create a buzz about my business to generate new leads. I can't afford a social media expert or an advertising budget right now. What do I do?
Sincerely,
Broke without a Buzz
…
Gousto is prepping for UK growth and serving up job opportunities
The UK-meal kit company, Gousto is hiring. If you have been following the venture capital press, that won't be a surprise to you. Gousto has become the UK's latest tech "unicorn" after raising £25m in a new funding round and has become the…
The Freelancers’ Couch answers your questions about national lockdown rules for business…
Dear Couch,
I am a tradesperson that carries out plumbing and other essential trade to both commercial and domestic customers, can I still go into customer's homes and places of work with the latest national lockdown? And if so, what…
Top Tips on Going Freelance – From a Pro
Visualise your happy place. Make it your end goal.
Relying on yourself to make a successful business or to build your reputation as a freelancer to achieve financial and reputational success will require a determination and…
Credit score to take a hit if you apply for mortgage payment deferral
Banks and building societies in the UK have agreed with regulators and HM Treasury to extend the provision of mortgage payment deferrals of up to a maximum of six months in the light of the tightened Covid-19 restrictions announced by the…
Russian hackers target US hospitals in heart of pandemic and US elections
Federal agencies warned that cybercriminals could unleash a wave of data-scrambling extortion attempts against the U.S. health care system, an effort that, if successful, could paralyze hospital information systems just as…
FSB calls on Chancellor to open up lender pool for ‘Excluded’ to boost business and…
Rather than excluding the newly self-employed and company directors in accessing Bounce Back loans, the government should be supporting them to keep their businesses alive, generate new business and create new jobs. This is the line of…
Have you grabbed your £800 in Google Ad credits?
The end of the year is near, so don't lose out on Google ad credits!
Search engine giant Google is giving its small-business customers $340m in ad credits, which can be used towards future ad spend, until the end of 2020 across Google’s…
New to the UK, need to register as self-employed, but don’t have an NI number? Here’s…
The HMRC has introduced a 'workaround' for those who have been unable to obtain a national insurance number and need to register for self-employment and obtain a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), The Institute of Chartered Accountants of…
Majority of UK contractors are ‘outside IR35’, but big companies are still making…
Being self-employed is often a personal choice led by personal circumstances or an innate entrepreneurial drive to carve out your own career and destiny - you do what you love. But in the month leading to April 2021, many freelancers and…
Want a new job? Go for growth sectors to boost chances
Around one-in-five young people, and over one-in-five black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) workers, who were furloughed during lockdown have since their lost jobs – and just one-in-three young people who have lost their jobs have been…
COVID fraud on the rise – is your bank signed up to protect you?
The government should introduce new laws to protect people from losing life-changing sums of money to bank transfer fraud after the Brexit transition period is over, consumer finance and comparison site Which? has urged.
At…
Government’s £12.7bn SEISS ‘terribly targeted’, says report. What does this mean…
The Government’s £12.7bn Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) has been terribly targeted at those in need, according to a major new Resolution Foundation report to be published later this week.
With over 400,000 workers…
IR35 could spark more power in the hands of umbrella companies and less for freelancers
Once IR35 comes around next year, the entrepreneurial spirit of the freelance economy could be driven out of the UK, leaving contractors and freelancers to have little choice than 'become employees' to umbrella companies - and pay for the…
New Section! Welcome to The Freelancers’ ‘Couch’: Your freelancer questions,…
The Freelance Informer team understands that sometimes friends, family, and co-workers just don't have all the answers to your freelancer questions, so hop on 'The Freelancers' Couch' and tell us your worries.. tell us your…
Music therapists could be NHS’ arsenal against Dementia and Alzheimer’s – join our…
Dementia and Alzheimer sufferers could be handed a rare gift in advance of the holidays this year if they were given the opportunity to take part in a series of music therapy sessions with a freelance or agency contracted music therapist.…
Adaptive on hunt for Business Analyst -Repo Trading Platform
Adaptive, a specialist software company that designs, builds and operates bespoke, real-time, front-to-back solutions for tier-one investment banks and commodity trading firms (see client stories), is looking or a highly skilled business…
Geek Retreat set to create 600 retail jobs
High street gaming specialist Geek Retreat has announced plans to create 600 new retail jobs in the UK, according to Employment for Students.
The company, which sells board games, toys and comics, says it will open 100 new stores…
Tax rises on self-employed could backfire on UK economic recovery, says IPSE
Tax rises on the self-employed would be the wrong option as the economy recovers from the coronavirus crisis, Derek Cribb, Interim CEO at IPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed) told the Treasury Select…
‘Looking for a job still sucks’- the Adriano Herdman story on launching recruitment…
Adriano "Adri" Herdman, co-founder of freelance talent consultancy, We are Move ('Move'), and recently launched tech job platform, Just Startup Jobs, talks to The Freelance Informer on why looking for a job in 2020 "still sucks," how his…
FSB Chair welcomes new self-employed grants but urges Sunak to give ‘Excluded’ access to…
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced today (22 October) that businesses affected by restrictions across the UK, will be given extra help to keep staff on with additional support through the Job Support Scheme including a drop in employer…
BANKSY’s art just banked £7.5m- the story behind one of the most successful (yet anonymous)…
"BANKSY ‘Show me the Monet’ just sold in Sotheby’s London auction Tuesday night for UK£7,551,600 including commission! (£6.4 million hammer price)," according to James Nicolls, Chairman, Maddox Gallery Group (London, Los Angeles &…
Covid-hit freelance creatives in Wales must act fast to apply for £2500 grant and join…
The second phase of a fund to support creative freelancers living and working in Wales affected by Covid-19 was launched this week. The Freelance Informer outlines everything you need to know to apply.
Individuals can apply for a £2,500…
Aged 40+? Your salary is about to plateau. What can you do to change that?
Wisdom comes with age and experience, goes the adage, so remuneration should be commensurate. That is not the case for the global IT worker, according to data that shows that salaries of IT candidates over the age of 45 become “stagnant…
Retirement scrapped? Self-employed need to get their financial act together, according to new report
If the UK's self-employed do not start saving and investing for their retirement they will be working out their twilight days working, rather than relaxing. This is the stark reality revealed in a new report.
The proportion of…
Get paid for watching TV (seriously!)
The UK’s biggest TV and movies website, Digital Spy, is looking for a freelance news reporter to write for the bustling Digital Spy website.This is a paid freelance position, reporting to the news editor and night news editor. You will be…
Energy suppliers required to offer emergency credit for struggling customers
Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, has confirmed plans to strengthen protections for customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills this winter. Following a consultation in June, Ofgem is introducing new licence rules for…
Full Employment Alliance formed as Wales prepares for lockdown; Gordon Brown calls for ‘wage…
An Alliance for Full Employment, encompassing all regions and nations of the United Kingdom, has been formed to fight for nationwide economic recovery policies that claims can prevent rapidly-rising redundancies and unemployment.
…
Childcare bubbles – what’s allowed in tier 2 lockdown?
With half-term for most schools set to start next week, and with news that London, Essex, York, Chesterfield and parts of Surrey, Derbyshire and Cumbria are to join tier 2 lockdown from midnight Friday, parents are scrambling to find…
Taxman sends letters to 24K who may have made false SEISS claims, says report
HMRC has written to 24,000 people who may have falsely claimed on the government's coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, The FT Advisor has reported.
The HM Revenue & Customs paid out £7.8bn to the 2.7m self-employed…
Backlash over HMGov ‘Fatima’ ballerina re-skill ad as PM Johnson rejects three million…
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the Commons on Monday: “The self-employed, which is a group that I think we all care about very much, have received so far £13.5 billion of support and we’ll continue to look after them as well.”
…
Freelance Informer launches #getrealhmrc Campaign to urge HMRC to use realistic calculations for tax…
The Freelance Informer is calling on the HMRC to have a two-pronged and realistic approach to handling self-employed tax bills in 2021 to fairly reflect for the sudden and considerable drop in earnings since the onset of the March lockdown…
Panto could be on this Christmas thanks to a group of crowdfunding freelancers creating a theatre in…
'There will be no panto this year - oh yes there will, oh no there won't - oh yes there will...' No, this isn't a Cabinet Office scuffle between PM Boris Johnson, chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, it…
Hiring companies & IR35: Does recent news mean that umbrella companies should not be used?
Recent reports that a final amendment to the IR35 legislation means that staffing companies or end-users, who rely on so-called umbrella companies to pay contingent workers, will technically become the "fee-payer".
In other words, the…
New research indicates NHS must ramp up rehab recruitment to cope with ‘Long COVID’…
The NHS will have to hire more than 1,000 new consultants, physios and counsellors to treat patients with the lingering and sometimes life-threatening 'side effects' of COVID-19, a new report presented by Trisha Greenhalgh, Professor of…
Inside IR35 – Are contractors paying over the odds to indirectly cover ENI and umbrella…
Limited company contractors may need to look to smaller companies and startups for future work so that they can determine their own destiny, ensure their correct IR35 status, and avoid weekly umbrella company fees they cannot afford. The…
British doctors call on Westminster to make UK-wide stricter restrictions to reduce COVID –…
The British Medical Association (BMA) says current government restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19 are not working and that clearer additional measures are needed to avoid communities suffering the paralysing and economic impact of…
Seek and Ye Shall Find: The Jobseekrs story with Elsa Zekeng. After tackling Ebola, she thought…
You know when you meet someone for the first time and you walk away thinking, ‘Damn, they’ve got it together.’ That’s what happened after I had my first encounter with Dr. Elsa Zekeng – the doctor - the Queen’s medal recipient - turned…
From legal contractor to CEO – Solange Semedo of ETZ on realising her childhood dream, having…
Solange Semedo, CEO of ETZ Group, the international recruitment and fintech company, talks to The Freelance Informer about realising her childhood dream of becoming a lawyer (with a little inspiration from LA Law's Blair Underwood), and…
Sunak extends Job Support Scheme – ‘Excluded’ self-employed still left in the dark…
Job Support Scheme will be expanded to support businesses across the UK required to close their premises due to coronavirus restrictionsgovernment will pay two thirds of employees’ salaries to protect jobs over the coming monthscash grants…
‘Gizza job’: PM allocates billions in upskilling funding
The Prime Minister has set out long term plans to transform the training and skills system, claiming he is making it fit for the 21st century economy and to ensure that, as work changes, people can retrain, upskill, and find new…
Role of contract carers in flux; music therapists call for ‘essential worker’ status for…
Thousands of care home residents are missing out on vital music therapy sessions and social interaction, which significantly alleviate the symptoms of disorders such as dementia because those who deliver them are not classed as essential…
Budget-driven businesses opt for freelancers; Fiverr sees market cap surge during pandemic
Covid-19 has many business owners on tighter budgets, making online marketplaces, affordably priced cloud apps and freelance gig sites new go-to resources, according to a CNBC report.
At a fraction of typical costs and sometimes even…
Self-employed and scared: millions in the UK are on brink of ruin and policy is at the heart of it
Conditions for economic growth, are 'not a mystery', says the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in an open letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak. But if current policies continue and the Chancellor goes into austerity mode, ignores the…
Interserve sells apprenticeship and education business ILE to Enact Fund
Interserve Group Limited, the international Support Services, Construction and Equipment Group, has sold its Interserve Learning & Employment (ILE) business for an undisclosed sum to The Enact Fund, which invests capital of up to £5…
Overclaimed a COVID grant? Get the facts or be forced to fork out penalty fees
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has warned taxpayers that they have 90 days to notify HMRC of overclaimed coronavirus (COVID-19) grants. The Tax Faculty recommends that taxpayers who have claimed grants…
Tax-free £1K bonus for nanny employers
Parents who used the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) to furlough their nanny during the pandemic will be eligible to claim the £1,000 Job Retention Bonus and will not be liable for tax, the ICAEW has reported.
The Job Retention…
IR35: HMRC could change its tactics overnight
Businesses should be prepared for the HMRC to change tactics on IR35 if current actions are anything to go by, according to Penny Simmons, a tax risk expert at Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out- Law News.
"Businesses should…
Mum of 5 Bridget Daley of ‘Parents in Biz’ on how raising kids and running a business is…
Serial entrepreneur and parent, or more aptly, Parentpreneur, Bridget Daley, might just have a recipe that works for today's self-employed parents. The secret sauce includes a group of gorgeous kids, two self-employed parents, a splash of…
Podding: Why this new homeschooling trend could be a lifeline for working parents in ‘COVID…
‘Podding up’ is a phenomenon that has taken on quickly with working parents and children in these uncertain times of local lockdowns and job insecurity. Podding is a direct response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on…
Automated Hardship – why the government’s flawed tech is failing families and pushing…
A report says a flawed algorithm in the UK’s Social Security System could be causing more families to go hungry and pushing even more into poverty every week. What's going wrong?
A new report by the Human Rights Watch claims the…
Manchester building up construction jobs with £1bn in development approvals
US stadium developer Oak View Group has secured consent to create a 23,500-capacity arena in East Manchester, a project worth £350m.
Contractor, Bam Construction, will start building the venue in November, but not without some dissent…
YunoJuno reveals freelancer ‘pandemic’ pay rates
According to one case study, many businesses are, "writing blank cheques in the race for survival."
During the pandemic, some specialist freelancers saw significant increases in their day rates as they became more in demand,…
How ‘Workstyle’ is transforming freelancers’ lives, careers and the companies that embrace it
The Freelance Informer speaks to workstyle movement gurus Alex Hirst and Lizzie Penny, the two minds behind Hoxby, a Virtual Consultancy and Agency powered by freelancers.
We get the background story on what drove this inspiring duo…
The OLIO Interview: Free food never tasted (or felt) so good – would you consider becoming a…
UPDATE!!!
Since we last spoke with Olio, the food sharing site has launched a great side hustle business tool.
OLIO MADE is a new section in the app which allows their OLIO community to sell their sustainable handmade crafts and…
COVID Bounce Back loans running on empty as CBILS deadline looms this month: how are borrowers…
Bounce Back loans, the most popular HM Treasury support measure, used by SMEs are running low, according to new findings.1
Despite the small and medium-sized businesses surveyed being aware that they can get more HM Treasury support by…
Femtech: why men shouldn’t shy away from this mass-market opportunity
Femtech. It’s an “emerging term,” according to researcher Frost & Sullivan, and as is the case with most new concepts, is poorly understood.
Femtech is arguably an awkward topic for some male freelancers, executives and investors.…
Accenture’s FinTech Innovation Lab: amazing mentoring and networking support and they take no…
If you are a fintech product developer or a freelancer working with a fintech startup have you considered applying to The FinTech Innovation Lab London? The annual accelerator programme run by Accenture, in collaboration with some of the…
TikTokers to Teens: Instagram influencers banding together for better pay as influencer industry set…
As brand influencers become more plentiful and proven, so too will their ability to call for greater industry protections, such as inclusivity-linked fairer pay, formal contracts, and the ability to unionise.
The influencer marketing…
Is Fiverr losing its human touch?
When does digital convenience become a pleasure and when does it become a pain? We look into the latest offerings and Trustpilot ratings of freelancer gig marketplace, Fiverr.
Fiverr, an Israel-based online marketplace for freelancer…
News site to empower freelancers and start-up economy in ‘new normal’
The Freelance Informer - “Empowering the Freelance Economy”
Millions of freelancers from tech developers to tutors now have a voice in the media.
LONDON, UK, 16 September, 2020/BuzzVestor Media/ -- Freelancers contribute more than…
Amazon job creation linked to SMEs and self-employed scaling up; Boumphrey new UK Country Manager
Amazon is on a hiring spree thanks to the growing customer demand of UK small and medium-sized enterprises, solopreneurs and sole traders scaling their businesses through the company's online platform. Its newly appointed UK manager will…
Foodtech: Could your passion for food + tech land you a sweet freelance gig?
Venture investors poured $3.7 billion into foodtech startups in the second quarter of 2020, according to Pitchbook. That accounts for an increase of roughly 28% year-over-year at a time when dealmaking has sharply dropped elsewhere.
…
What Big Bird and the gang on Sesame Street could teach Edtech talent and the startups that hire…
In 1969, one of the most successful and longest-running TV shows in history was born - "Sesame Street." In its first season, the children's educational entertainment show won three Emmys, a Peabody, and was featured on the cover…
What’s it going to take to put faith back into Fintech for Freelancers?
When Germany’s Wirecard filed for insolvency following the revelation that EUR1.9 billion ($2.1 billion) of cash had gone missing from its accounts, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) acted fast. But some…
Why Tesco is becoming a Tech Titan and creating thousands of jobs worldwide
In April, Tesco became the first retailer in the UK to fulfil one million online grocery orders in a week. Tesco now serves nearly 1.5m customers a week online, up from around 600,000 at the start of the pandemic. By shifting the majority…
Most in-demand tech skills to land a job in 2020 (and some free courses to attain them)
Demand for web designers and developers skyrocketed by 15.5%, according to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC)'s June figures.
"We've seen two years of digital transformation happening in the space of two weeks,"…
White-collar professions facing worst jobs crisis, according to IoD economist
For three decades the UK's office-based or white-collar workers have enjoyed (for the most part), stable, job security. Today, as the UK and other nations around the world face the possibility of another COVID-19 spike, white-collar…
Caroline Ramade is on a mission to double the number of #WomenInTech
Caroline Ramade, CEO & Co-Founder of 50inTech speaks to The Freelance Informer on why recruitment has got it wrong for so long when it comes to attracting and retaining #WomenInTech.
Caroline Ramade is calling in for backup. Anyone…
Women and tech-savvy at heart of recruitment drive for Europe’s largest construction project
Digging the dirt on HS2’s recruitment drive and why construction is no longer a ‘Man’s World’
Females, under 25s, engineers and ‘techies’ are the core focus of the Balfour Beatty VINCI recruitment and skills drive for the £100bn HS2…
MT Newswires hiring reporters across US, Canada, APAC and EMEA
Real-time financial news company, MT Newswires, is looking for experienced financial journalists and reporters to cover their newsroom capital markets and stock news.
There are several telecommuting positions to fill (part…
Love property? Proptech recruiter Rayner Personnel joins forces with estate agencies to access…
The self-employed estate agent is nothing new and with more home buyers and renters using the internet to do their property searches, the need for brick and mortar agency offices is waning, according to Tim Lawler, a self-employed estate…
Are you tapping into the home improvements and services market for the super-rich?
Learn more about the £28m home improvements of the super-rich homebuyer and if you could tap into this marketplace as a self-employed consultant or contractor based on your skills.
High expectations
“You might imagine that when…
Who will take care of our kids? Early childcare worker and childminder numbers falling fast, says…
Low pay, a high workload and a lack of career development for early years workers risk having a serious impact on the provision of care and education services for the under-fives, says the Social Mobility Commission in its report, The…
Single-person limited company figures on the rise, says ONS
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported that the UK's Companies House register has indicated that there has been a recent growth in company creation figures of single-person limited companies, largely those that are often…
The Paul Hawksbee case: Exclusivity doesn’t pay off
Paul Hawksbee, one half of Talksport's Hawksbee & Jacobs, the hilarious afternoon sports show, will not be laughing over the HMRC's successful overturn of an IR35 case at Upper Tribunal involving the sports presenter.
The latest…
22% of Brits motivated to set up their own business, says study
An entrepreneurial spirit has been cultivated during the lockdown period, according to a new study that reported that 22% of Brits have been motivated to begin their own businesses in the creative industry during COVID. This could be…
Chancellor not budging on offering new schemes for UK’s ‘excluded’
Chancellor Sunak shows no signs of budging on conscious and previously made COVID-19 support scheme decisions that have impacted millions of excluded self-employed people.
Court software so fast on facts, it’s practically criminal
Journalists are turning to AI software to fast-track story leads
Hiring companies: millions of freelancers’ fates are in your hands come April 2021
Tax reform must reflect the modern workforce, which is increasingly made up of independent workers who are self-employed. Close to 5 million people, not including millions of gig workers.
Can’t pay your tax bill on time? There’s still hope. That is if you are not among…
The HMRC has extended the payment on account deadline for Self Assessment to 2021 and also set up self-employed loan support in these lean times. But not all taxpayers are feeling the love. Some 3 million have been left in a taxpayer's…
IR35: There are larger economic ramifications at play.
Just when the UK workforce could be going into freefall when an anticipated quarter of furloughed workers will be made redundant by this Autumn, the option to put their skills to work by going freelance will be overshadowed by what many…
New work? Great if you can get paid for it
Anil Stocker, CEO at MarketFinance, likens the current late-payments plight of UK SMEs as a “three-pronged assault” on SME finances.
Algorithms are biased, and it looks like designers could be to blame.
Humans and Artificial Intelligence have something in common. They are both biased, according to the brand managers, web designers, futurists, and UX design agencies that have experienced data set bias in the fashion and beauty industry…