blanket bans on PSC contractors exposes UK to risks
SPECIAL REPORT
UK vulnerable to extreme risks due to government’s “default to secrecy” and lack of experts
COVID-19 has exposed the UK’s risk management system so much that it is deemed as “deficient and too inflexible”…
Sold a property? HMRC on hunt for “missing” CGT
HMRC is sending out a new batch of nudge letters to sellers of residential properties to make sure that they have paid the right amount of capital gains tax. The tax authority believes that some may owe another 8% on top of what they have…
Stranded Freelancers caught out by residence test
Internationally mobile taxpayers, such as expats, freelancers and company founders are among those that have been affected by pandemic travel restrictions and the UK's statutory residence test (SRT).
HMRC has responded by introducing…
Salaries on the rise, no signs of WFH pay cuts
Some 61% of employers are set to give salary increases over the next year, according to a new survey. Now is the time to see how your rate and benefits compare so you can get your project and LinkedIn profiles updated.
Salaries across…
SIA, HMRC carry out tax abuse checks on contractors
Contractor tax abuse checks carried out across 29 venues
The Security Industry Authority (SIA), the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK, and the HMRC have carried out inspections across 29…
Flexeconomy: it contributes £37bn to the UK economy so why are agency contractors still excluded?
SPECIAL REPORT
Agency contractors: where do they fit within the "Flexeconomy"?
What's in this report:
Flexibilty for all: cultural change in mind-set and how to argue your case for flexible workingUmbrella companies and…
Financially undervalued with your dream client? Start acting more like a cat than a dog says careers…
A Randstad survey found an overwhelming 67% of people feel either confident or very confident at the prospect of moving to a new employer; in fact, an astonishing 48% of respondents have reportedly switched roles in 2021. But what happens…
What is open innovation and how can freelancers use it to build their business?
Taking a cue from the CBI's Big Fish, Little Fish campaign, which aims for large companies to develop partnerships with start-ups and scale-ups, The Freelance Informer asks, what's stopping freelancers from doing the same thing?
…
IR35 + Brexit: What happens to scalability and the UK skills gap when freelancers and contractors…
With over a third of contractors (35%) having left self-employment since private sector IR35 changes came into effect in April 2021, the skills gap is widening in vital sectors, such as IT and healthcare. Startups are also leaving the UK…
Black Friday 2021: will it be the grinch that stole Christmas for freelance artisans and independent…
OPINION
Small Business Saturday is on 4 DecemberAccording to the latest ONS retail data, 6 % of businesses still trading have little conficence that they still will be by February 2022
Black Friday is fast upon us (26 November). The…
IR35: umbrellas are feeding HMRC’s £3.6bn tax grab
IR35 expert, Qdos, has responded to the release of HMRC’s evidence put forward to the Finance Bill Sub Committee for their inquiry into IR35 reform in the private sector. Will the HMRC admit what the reform is really doing to British…
Boost your eco cred with this Coldplay-approved gift
Climeworks, a pioneering direct air capture company, that includes band Coldplay among its clients, is launching its company gifts for Christmas, enabling freelancers and small businesses to give the gift of carbon dioxide removal to…
IT Contractor recruitment platform “thinks” like tinder
OnSkil claims it is shaking things up in IT contractor recruitment by basing its platform’s usability on Tinder, the dating app.
The experience of finding a new partner via a dating app is very similar to finding a new job, since they…
Report: demeaning freelancer conditions revealed
Writer Jack Thorne ( "Help", “His Dark Materials”) has launched the pressure group Underlying Health Conditions (UHC) alongside “The Silence” star Genevieve Barr, production manager Katie Player (“Churchill) and producer Holly…
Interim vacancies set to grow in 2022 says APSCo CEO
Which sectors and companies are hiring interims and why?
Interim vacancies will continue to grow in 2022 as demand for flexible talent shows no signs of slowing down, according to new research from the Association of…
Stressed? Sleepless nights? You’re not alone.
New research has uncovered what is keeping freelancers and small business owners up at night. What can they do to get their much-needed ZZZs? Katherine Steiner-Dicks looks for some solutions.
New mental health research reveals the top…
Contractors expect more IR35 costs to come, Charity sector could be hardest hit
Contractors are concerned that IR35 rules will change again in the near future, spurring even more costs
Nearly three quarters (74%) of contractors are concerned IR35 rules may change again in the coming monthsOnly 43% of people agree…
The top-ranked “workcation” locations in Europe and how you can get the most out of…
Rather than booking a one-week holiday, more people from the UK are considering an extended "workcation" at home or abroad. A new report highlights the benefits of taking one, the highest ranked workcation locations and what to consider…
Vodafone launches new ‘Shout Out for Small Businesses’ competition offering bespoke mentoring…
Vodafone has launched its second Shout Out for Small Businesses competition.One winning business will win a bespoke, face-to-face business mentoring session with entrepreneur and BBC Dragons’ Den star Steven Bartlett.Ten runner-up…
British freelance poet sells poem for $525K
A British poet has made history after selling a single poem for more than half a million dollars at a New York auction.
Writer Arch Hades sold her poem Arcadia for $525,000 at Christies in Manhattan - making it the most expensive poem…
Life advice for freelancers and founders
Freelancers and founders are amazing individuals. Yeah, we may be biased here at The Freelance Informer, but it's true. They often spend each day delving out tips and sharing their skills with their clients and customers. But even they…
The Midlife Pension Review: why freelancers and founders need one more than most
A Midlife Pension Review with an independent financial adviser or a free advice service, such as Money Helper, could give company founders, freelancers and contractors the impartial and independent guidance they need to manage their…
Shortage in cyber security professionals highest ever – jumping by nearly 25% this year
Cybersecurity contractors are in high demand, but companies can't fill vacancies quick enough, The Freelance Informer reports.
When it comes to malware, ransomware is one of the fastest-growing threats in recent history, with experts…
Former pensions MP says government wants to sweep away Pension credit protection even though it was…
On 13 October 2021, the second reading of the Social Security (Up-rating of Benefits) Bill is scheduled to take place in the House of Lords. There are over 2 million pensioners in poverty and inflation has been soaring.An adjusted earnings…
The UK’s most entrepreneurial towns and cities
The pandemic has significantly impacted the labour market, leading to 'The Great Resignation' and a boom in entrepreneurship. New research has revealed the top ten towns and cities proving the most entrepreneurial. Could living in one of…
Lords IR35 inquiry could unearth cases of tax revenue losses and recruitment woes
The House of Lords Bill Sub-Committee has opened a follow-up inquiry into the “performance” of tax regulation IR35 following the news of another review into public sector reform. Could the latest inquiry prove counterproductive to…
How creative industries could boost the economies of small islands crippled by COVID
By Peter Rudge, Staffordshire University
Peter Rudge
Small islands in the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean or in the Pacific islands promise dream holidays and the fulfilment of bucket lists. And, for the islands themselves, tourism is a…
Christie’s auctions World’s first fine art NFT
Poetry is being sold for the first time as fine art through blockchain. So is an NFT video sequence including an iconic picture used by Banksy, which could provide a link to the artist's real identity. Could this artistic medium open up…
SEISS Claimants: HMRC to crackdown on missing 2019/20 tax return information
NEWS from the ICAEW
HMRC is writing to individuals who have received grants under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme but have yet to fully complete a self-assessment tax return for 2019/20, the ICAEW has reported. If you were not…
Hidden £1.7 Billion tax Grab on self-employed
One could say that the Chancellor chose to hand out tricks rather than treats this Halloween in the form of a £1.7bn tax grab hidden in his Autumn budget
Could you afford to pay a tax bill over not just one tax year but two? If not,…
20 questions with… Sylvia Tillmann, TRE Provider
NEVER MIND THE FLUFF Q&A
When the pandemic first hit, Sylvia Tillman's job as an IT and business development consultant came to an end. That's when she took the plunge and launched a new venture in alternative health.
"I am now…
How to Get a business landline number in minutes that redirects calls to your mobile or WhatsApp…
FREELANCER'S LUNCH
If you are a freelancer or small business owner and want to keep your personal and business numbers separate but don't want the hassle or cost of installing a physical landline, an online business number might be the…
Alternative health “tools for life” could be every freelancer’s answer to less…
If 90% of Illnesses are linked to stress, why aren't more of us relieving our stress levels as if our lives depended on it? The Freelance Informer looks at some of the latest alternative health tools and gadgets to find that some could add…
No cushion for impact: how the Chancellor’s budget outlook ignored the imminent cost of living…
OPINION
The Autumn Budget could be seen as no news is good news for the UK's 4.3 million freelancers and self-employed businesses. Thing is, the Chancellor and the Tory government had already delivered a series of bad news in the…
Vaccine Experts Share Their Thoughts: should you get a booster shot? What Would A Plan B Look Like?
With COVID cases returning in dangerously high numbers, ministers are considering cutting the waiting time for COVID-19 booster vaccines from 6 months to 5. What do the virologists have to say about this? Plus the latest on what a Plan B…
IR35: it’s driven 35% of contractors out of self-employment
We all saw the signs, but now new research by IPSE has proven it: IR35 is killing self-employment in the UK.
The member group's research found that over a third of contractors (35%) have left self-employment since the changes to IR35,…
Guilty of these “unproductive” work from home habits?
Having a separately designated, functional office space is vital to your success if you are working from home, according to Adriana Lopez, of US software and home moving and maintenance services company, Porch. She also says our daily…
Brits purchasing power halved: Top tips to make your money stretch with rising inflation
Even with talk of rising inflation hitting 4% by December, freelancers may not be taking the developments too seriously. They do have a life and job to get on with, right? That said, purchasing power in the UK has effectively halved,…
Cheapest Car insurance quotes have this in common
Telematics car insurance is growing in popularity since their rates are among the most competitive, says a new report.
Telematic or "black box" insurers feel they can afford to provide cheaper deals since they can monitor a driver’s…
Autumn Budget: Will Rishi come through for Freelancers?
AUTUMN BUDGET SPECIAL
Freelancers and small business owners around the UK share what they'd like to see Rishi Sunak announce in the Autumn Budget.
The Autumn Budget wishlist of freelancers and small business owners includes a range…
Ditch the degree: 46% of graduates say start a business instead. But do business owners agree?
A new study has explored whether students, past and present, consider a degree to hold the prestige it once did in business - or whether entrepreneurial spirit can get you just as far. Or is there a happy medium? Freelancers, business…
A “bleak” Over 50s middle management job market urging candidates to go freelance or…
Recruitment specialists respond to the latest ONS Labour Market Statistics, which showed a record number of job vacancies (1,102,000) from July to September 2021 and another monthly increase of the number of employees in work (a record of…
Gigatisation: How ‘big brother’ apps and worker exploitation are giving freelancing a…
Thousands of drivers delivering for Amazon in the UK could be entitled to an average of £10,500 compensation for each year they have delivered for the company, according to law firm Leigh Day. But could this lead to greater government…
Freelancers face £25 billion tax admin burden
The Federation of Small Businesses is calling on the Government to protect small businesses from unfair profit-seeking behaviour from Make Tax Digital (MTD) software providers and other recommendations to avoid economic hardship for…
River Cottage chef’s TV production company sold off after going bust. But Have the freelancers been…
Insolvency documents show that the directors of KEO Films, including co-founder River Cottage chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, paid themselves £4m over the last seven years, even though the company consistently failed to record a profit…
Just how far would you commute for the ideal property?
92% of hybrid workers and PAYE contractors are willing to commute further to get their desired property or location. Many freelancers though took the risk to go freelance to avoid the commute altogether.
According to the latest report…
‘Not On Amazon’ founder Jamie Rackham: could he be the E-commerce Robin Hood for…
Have you heard of NOT ON AMAZON? It's a Facebook e-commerce community for small independent retailers and artisans. It's grown faster than ever over the past month. The Freelance Informer finds out why.
NOT ON AMAZON, an online…
A virtual camera and video app that alters your onscreen likeness, outfit and environment (even when…
FREELANCER'S LUNCH
Bad hair day? Still in your pyjamas when a client wants to do a video call? Not to worry, a virtual camera app claims it can fix all that.
If you want to be looking your best, in a suit with your hair looking its…
Nobel Peace prize awarded to brave freelance journalists that built Media startups to safeguard…
Freelance journalists turned media company founders were awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for their bravery in reporting and company foundations built on freedom of expression.
More tax hikes to come?
Under current government spending plans, council tax increases of 3.6% per year will be needed for the next three years just to ensure councils can provide the same range and quality of services in 2024–25 as was provided…
Nepotism at heart of Cambridge freelance supervisor exploitation, says student union report
A freedom of information (FoI) request by the Cambridge University and College Union (CUCU) branch to Pembroke College has found that the university had been challenged by HMRC over its failure to put freelance college supervisors on the…
The PGMOL case: how it could give HMRC greater powers to take the “freedom” out of…
FREELANCER'S LUNCH
The long-awaited Court of Appeal decision in the football referees case has been handed down and it is significant, with implications far wider than the world of football, according to Pinsent Masons Tax specialist…
Freelancers may have to pay back ‘COVID’ tax benefits
SEISS, child benefit and marriage allowance are some of the tax benefits sole traders and limited company directors may have to pay back if their income increased more than a normal trading year during the COVID pandemic.
…
Love pets? Love tech? Join a pet startup community
If you are interested in launching or investing in a pet startup, you may want to join the 300 strong Unleashed EMENA pet startup community. You can join the investor and startup group by submitting this form. But you can also sign up as a…
City struggles to Hire talent, compete on global stage
FINANCIAL SERVICES
The City is calling for the UK to explore new measures to allow employees to enter the UK for short-term work without a work visa. Authors of a new report allude that an exodus of foreign talent will continue to hurt…
Top tips to get rid of freelancer guilt
Only 2% of freelancers in a recent survey claimed to have never had to prioritise work over family. What impact does this have for the other 92% when it comes to their personal lives, marriage and most importantly, children?
The…
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Buddies Tried to Get the VA to Sell Access to Veterans’ Medical Records
A congressional investigation prompted by ProPublica’s reporting found Trump’s “Mar-a-Lago crowd,” wealthy civilians with no U.S. government or military experience, pursued a plan to monetize veterans’ medical data.
By Isaac Arnsdorf,…
October: a month of many changes for freelancers
October could mark several changes that will impact freelancer household income.
Goodbye SEISS grants
The self-employed income support scheme (SEISS grants), which paid up to £7,500 for some freelance workers affected by Covid will…
Panic buying: why our squirrelling nature kicks in and how we can predict and curb shortages
Panic or over-buying and hoarding of necessities is a common response to crises, especially in developed economies where there is normally an expectation of plentiful supply, a study finds.
It seems we can't help it when our foraging…
90% LTV mortgage for contractors and self-employed
Saffron Building Society, a broker-linked mortgage provider, has launched two 90 per cent loan-to-value mortgages for contractors and the self-employed.
The three-year deal is offering a 90% LTV mortgage…
Making Tax Digital: “not fit” for Freelancers
The 'Making Tax Digital' for Income Tax programme will be delayed from 6 April 2023 until 6 April 2024. But the basis period proposals of the programme, additional costs and not-fit-for-purpose software could make things very unattractive…
Labour Party vows to abolish business rates
The Labour Party is vowing if it came into majority power it would freeze business rates next year. Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and Labour MP for Leeds West, made some bold statements about abolishing the current…
IFS report: Lack of vacancies for UK’s highly skilled. Is IR35 partly to blame?
If you are a highly skilled contractor or freelancer looking for work, you may find the process discouraging due to the limited number of vacancies. A new report confirms the trend.
‘While prominent stories about rising vacancies and…
under 40? check out this free cash opportunity
Lifetime ISAs (LISAs) can be opened by anyone aged between 18 and 39 in the UK, after that you've missed the boat. The attraction of these investment vehicles is that you can save up to £4,000 a year in them, towards say your first home or…
Family or personal problems? This is how happy and healthy freelancers not only cope but remain…
Mental resilience is strong amongst Britain’s freelancers and small business owners despite pandemic challenges, a new study has found. What's keeping them positive?
Despite the many challenges Britain’s small business owners and…
EU takes charge: why USB-Cs will rule digital devices
All smartphones sold in the EU must have USB-C chargers according to new proposals put forward by the European Commission.
The move is to stop "e-waste and consumer inconvenience, caused by the prevalence of different, incompatible…
Is SEO and aI dumbing down Contractor recruitment?
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
If you use a recruitment agency or consultant for your future workflow, you may develop a grudge against Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) bias, which bears the question, who or what has…
Will your career still be viable in 10 years?
Olga, the career fortune teller over at The US Bureau of Labor Statistics, has looked into her crystal ball to reveal which will be the fastest-growing careers over the next decade and which could be all but obsolete.
If you are not…
How much are freelancers willing to put at risk?
80 new businesses were created every hour across the UK in the first half of 2021. What does this say about Britain's appetite for risk and are company founders putting all their chips on the table?
Over half (57%) of Britain's…
Why freelancers should negotiate everything right now
Freelancers urged to negotiate better deals on everything from day rates to energy bills - before tax and interest rate hikes kick in.
What freelancers should negotiate now:
Mortgage rates and whether it wll pay off staying or…
How contractor-managers build influence in the workplace
Despite being outsiders with no personal connections or networks, increasingly contractor-managers are doing a terrific job, according to a study by the Center for Human Resources at Wharton School.
When Wharton management…
What are the new “Freedoms” of Brexit?
New plans to "capitalise on the freedoms from Brexit" have been announced and one of the first places you might witness these changes are on a pint glass down the pub. Some tweeters have had a field day with the news.
Regulatory…
ONS reveals £35bn in missing tax payments
Some wealth planners are expecting radical changes to the UK tax system in the next few years.
The Office for National Statistics has published a report, 'Measuring tax gaps', noting that the tax gap amounted to £35bn, or 5.3% in the…
HMRC handed new powers to Clampdown on promoters of tax avoidance schemes
UMBRELLA COMPANY CONTRACTORS
ICAEW warns that the current legislative phrasing provides HMRC with “a very wide-ranging power with extremely serious consequences.”
The government is giving the nation's tax authority, the HMRC, more…
IR35 contributed to freelancers’ 10% drop in day rates
Average quarterly earnings by UK freelancers fell 10% in the second quarter to £18,652, but on track to rise
Freelancers cut their own day rates to £397 in the second quarter from £445 in the first quarter — lower than during the…
NI tax hikes: Will umbrella contractors get the chop?
The UK's Federation of Small Business (FSB) has called the Conservative government's national insurance tax hike of 1.25% as “anti-small business” and could spark job losses of 50,000 or more. It will also lead to a 2.5% national…
Are umbrella companies really exploiting contractors?
Welcome back to the Freelancer's Lunch where we scan the net for topical, inspiring and career-impacting videos and podcasts talking about matters impacting the freelancer, contractor, and founder communities.
In this week's selection,…
Self-employed hardest hit by pandemic says ONS
The numbers don't lie as they say and it looks like the self-employed have been the hardest hit by the pandemic, according to the latest ONS figures.
Throughout the pandemic, self-employed workers were consistently more likely to report…
Four factors that increase the risk of vaccinated people getting COVID
Authored by Vassilios Vassiliou, University of East Anglia; Ciaran Grafton-Clarke, University of East Anglia, and Ranu Baral, University of East Anglia
Two weeks after your second COVID-19 vaccine dose, the protective effects of…
Creditors free to go after distressed companies
Temporary measures brought in to support businesses from insolvency during the pandemic will be phased out from 1 October. Companies in financial distress as a result of the pandemic have been protected from creditor action since June last…
Amazon to Pay Full College Tuition for Its Front-Line Employees, transition staff into IT experts
Amazon’s more than 750,000 operations employees in the US are eligible for fully funded college tuition, including cost of classes, books, and fees
The online retail giant is also adding three new skills training…
Self-employed to be in higher demand thanks to health and social care levy says think tank. but at…
The NHS will be exempt from the new health and social care levy, government plans reveal, yet in a bizarre twist, care providers and their workers will pay for the levy, The Telegraph has reported.
There are also revelations that the…
“Short sighted attack”: Freelancers and small businesses hit with Dividend tax, NI hike…
SPECIAL REPORT
The government has announced a 1.25% Health and Social Care levy based on National Insurance contributions to tackle the social care crisis. "Another short-sighted attack from the government on the self-employed": Seb…
Is your client ghosting your IR35 concerns?
Off-payroll labour and IR35 – six months on but uncertainty remains for end clients, recruiters and contractors
More than half of the UK’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have not put in a formal process to adhere to changes…
Social care tax hikes: Who will take care of our elderly if careworkers jump ship to work for…
Care workers are quitting to become Amazon warehouse pickers and for other better-paid jobs in a growing staffing crisis which operators now warn could leave 170,000 vacancies by the end of the year, the Guardian reported.
The shift of…
20 questions with… Sarah Townsend
Freelancers and contractors are curious people. That’s why they love to hear how others broke into this weird and wonderful world of work and how they are improving their game and switching off when they aren’t working.
This week Sarah…
Instagram outage – Hilarious business owner responses
On the 2nd of September, the Insta villagers revolted. Ok, that's a bit dramatic, but Instagrammers did voice their outcry when the platform was not refreshing posts, was "down" or "compromised".
Social media for some freelancers and…
Comms professionals snub agencies in favour of in-house roles: but how do salaries and benefits…
Agencies are still playing second fiddle to in-house companies when it comes to where communications professionals would consider moving to in their next role, according to a new salary guide.
The Annual Salary Guide 2021 by The Works,…
Amazon preps for 55K corporate hires
Amazon is preparing another massive hiring spree, this time it's looking to fill corporate roles, including in the UK.
Amazon is planning to hire 55,000 people for corporate and technology roles globally in the coming months, according…
Number of disabled individuals going self-employed up 30% in 5 years
Fourteen per cent of the UK’s 4.5 million self-employed are disabled individuals, highlighting the growth of the freelancer economy and the flexible opportunities it can offer talent. But their freelancer stories are rarely heard. But…
Insider trading and the dangers of data for contractors
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SEC charges Netflix insider trading ring led by software engineers
If you are a contractor or freelancer of a publicly-traded company or a start-up that is looking to list, know the dangers of…
The Covid-15: Back-to-office life may not be the only thing weighing us down
FREELANCER HEALTH GUIDE
The COVID-15 has spread across international borders. Luckily, it’s not a new virus. It’s the 15-pounds of unwanted weight gain that has sneakily spread across a growing number of freelancer waistlines and…
20 questions with Claudia Kozeny-Pelling
Freelancers and contractors are curious people. That’s why they love to hear how others broke into this weird and wonderful world of work and how they are improving their game and switching off when they aren't working.
This week…
the tell-tale signs a contractor may need to dissolve their limited company
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John Bell of Clarke Bell
John Bell, Director and founder of licensed insolvency firm, Clarke Bell has kindly offered to provide some guidance on this sticky subject.
Dear…
IR35: Taxpayers could pay multi-million Government tax bills thanks to CEST tool casualties
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Government documents have revealed that the HM Courts and Tribunal Service has been hit with a £12m IR35 bill*.
The latest news comes hot on the heels of the other government departments…
Is prioritising business over family and friends worth it?
Research has revealed that almost 2 in 5 (37%) entrepreneurs in Britain said the feeling of launching their own business was the same or better feeling than sex. And some entrepreneurs are notorious for cancelling dates and missing family…
HMRC trawling “mind-boggling” amounts of financial data on freelancers and contractors
Tax experts have confirmed with the Financial Times that the UK tax authority is securing a mind-boggling amount of financial data on people, including personal online transactions.
The experts said that the HMRC secures data from…
81% of female freelancers treated “differently”
A survey carried out among female freelancers by Xolo reveals that four out of five respondents feel that they have been treated differently in their careers due to their gender. Stories shared within the survey indicate that this is…
Embassy contractors under review after Berlin spy sting
The arrest of David Smith, 57, on suspicion of spying for Russia prompts calls for review of embassy contractors
Private British contractors, including former military personnel, wanting to work in British embassies across the globe…
“It’s shambolic” : IR35 specialist reacts to HMRC missed deadline to appeal locum…
IR35 specialist, Qdos, have responded to the news that HMRC has been denied the chance to appeal an outside IR35 verdict at the Upper Tier Tribunal (UTT) after submitting their application after the deadline.
It has also been…
Fiverr Launches Invite-Only Programme for Freelancers (but it’s not for free)
Seller Plus, a global loyalty subscription-based programme launched by freelancer platform, Fiverr, will provide freelancers with advanced tools, analytics and a personal success manager to help them build or grow their business.
…
Which Country is the Cheapest for Starting A Business?
If you are a digital nomad, considering expanding your freelance services or even sub-contracting abroad, you have some cost analysis to do. Learn which countries are the most cost-effective for startups and freelancers. You may be…
Lionel Messi: why his arrival in Paris is a key part of Qatar’s game plan
Lionel Messi’s emotional though lucrative move to Paris Saint-Germain is now complete. After scoring 672 goals for Barcelona, the football world eagerly awaits what he can bring to the French league.
His new club’s owners, meanwhile,…
Solopreneur millionaires on the rise
The growth of solopreneur millionaires is surging, not just in the UK, but in the US and across the globe. For some one-person businesses, becoming a millionaire is when they see their pension pot hit the £1m mark. For others, it is…
Self-employed and on the NHS waiting list?
The new Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, has warned that the number of people on a waiting list for NHS care in England could reach as many as 13 million. For many self-employed people, including freelancers and…
Self-employed Mortgages: How to best prepare
The number one reason for a mortgage application rejection for the self-employed was being self-employed, with a third (32%) citing this as a reason for rejection, according to a new study.
Research from Aldermore Bank…
IR35: All IT contractors deemed “employed” under Halifax mortgage criteria; Plus Expert…
Expert Application Tips For Contractors
Inheritance tax: how to calculate it and pass down more assets to your loved ones tax-free
Almost a third of over-55s have never checked how Inheritance Tax could affect them, according to a new study.
A new study by TIME Investments, a provider of Inheritance Tax services, has found that nearly one in three (31%) over-55s…
Freelancers could be among small business owners that lose £5.6 billion a year in unclaimed expenses
"Losing receipts" and "not being bothered" are two of the most popular reasons small business owners and freelancers are not claiming legitimate expenses. The thing is, if you’re self-employed, most of your business expenses can be claimed…
What are allowable expenses if you’re self-employed?
If you’re self-employed in the UK and are not sure what you can and cannot claim as a business expense you are not alone. Many small business owners, freelancers and contractors do not claim expenses because they hold doubts over what…
Hollywood comes to Hertfordshire: £700m World-Class Film and TV Studios to create 4500 jobs
Proposed development to be a hub for UK and international productionsEstimated over £700 million investment to create state-of-the-art studio facilitiesProject expected to create over 4,500 permanent jobs and contribute £300 million…
Event Organisers: Did you hear the one about the spectator and the golf ball? Plus the latest on the…
Earlier this summer, Ireland's High Court dismissed a claim from a spectator who was struck by a golf ball while attending the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point Golf Club in 2016. It was an important decision for sports clubs,…
How much are UK energy prices going up and why?
Record gas prices are driving up the UK's energy price cap by £139, Ofgem, the energy regulator has reported. The Institute of Economic Affairs said the energy price cap is "useless" and could backfire on consumers. The Freelance Informer…
small business owners: would you like a Free electric van service?
Small businesses can always use an extra hand, especially when getting their products delivered. Hammersmith & Fulham Council is doing just that by teaming up with Zipcar and Fulham Broadway BID to provide the first…
Hybrid working Study: “it’s Exhausting Us”
Almost 50% of professionals claim ‘hybrid working’ is not fit for purpose
63% of companies have adopted hybrid-work models40% of employees are yet to hear about their future way of working55% of employees claim hybrid working has…
How to take on More clients as a freelancer
Want to take on more clients or projects to grow your freelance business, but think you can't afford to hire seasoned staff to delegate the workload? Are you an entrepreneurial graduate looking to get experience in a small business or…
Freelance v. Flexible Working: Which is right for you?
Now with the Labour Party's Flexible Working Manifesto and a worldwide adoption to remote working, does flexible employment have more pros or cons to going freelance over the long term?
They say when you have children or become a…
Latest rates for designers, animators and videographers
Freelance talent and jobs platform YunoJuno has published the latest average day rates across the Film & Motion discipline. The average day rate increased nearly 5% in 2020.
Check out rates for the following roles: 3D Designer,…
12 Mental Methods to Get Smarter
🎧FREELANCER'S LUNCH
Boosting our raw brainpower in adulthood may seem impossible, but that doesn't stop some people, regardless of their IQ, from consistently excelling at their jobs, personal goals and breaking into new areas. How do…
Should you take the COVID vaccine if you’re pregnant?
Despite the number of daily cases falling in the UK over the past week, doctors are yet to see any reduction in the number of COVID patients admitted to hospital, writes Dr Richard Cree, an intensive care consultant at the James Cook…
Labour Party proposals: will they help or hinder contractors and freelancers?
At the onset, the Labour Party's new spree of proposals impacting the world of work is promising. For one, the Party takes the realities of everyday people seriously, like juggling school hours with working hours and the cost of living.…
PINGDEMIC: A guide for contractors, freelancers and sole traders
4.2 million self-employed workers do not qualify for SSP
The NHS Track & Trace "pingdemic" has dominated the UK news headlines over the past two weeks. The Freelance Informer reports on the latest statutory sick pay entitlements of…
Self-employed denied SEISS worse off than furloughed says IFS study
Those self-employed workers who lost 100% of their work in the first lockdown saw a sharp rise in deprivation in the wake of the pandemic. Their financial circumstances have seen little improvement, according to a Joseph Rowntree…
How policymakers and tax experts think platform and gig workers should be taxed
THE FREELANCER'S LUNCH
The ‘gig economy’ has grown and risen up the policy agenda in recent years. The associated growth in people working through their own businesses and in work happening through platforms highlights difficult…
DWP stung with £87.9m in “fruitless” IR35 liabilities
The Department for Work and Pensions, which administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers has reported £87.9m in national insurance liabilities…
Largest freelance telecoms network Outvise joins FTTH Councils to build out EMEA infrastructure
Outvise, one of the largest freelance talent platforms in telecoms, is now a member of the three main Fibre to the Home (FTTH) councils in Europe, MENA and Africa. The link-up comes at a time when broadband infrastructure is critical to…
Half of companies have regrets over IR35 decisions and blanket bans
Four in ten businesses impacted by recent changes to IR35 in the private sector have admitted they would approach the changes differently if given the opportunity. This is according to a study carried out by IR35 specialist, Qdos, in which…
Loan charge: is it breaching the rule of law?
SPECIAL REPORT: THE LOAN CHARGE
In a July session HMRC management including Jim Harra, the HMRC's Chief Executive, was questioned by the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee on the Loan Charge. The discussion spurred more…
A Contractor’s Guide to Umbrella Companies
CONTRACTOR'S GUIDE
Crawford Temple, CO of Professional Passport
The new Off-Payroll legislation came into effect on April 6th 2021. It means that many contractors who currently work through their own limited companies have…
Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin: can they be more than ‘space’ joyrides for millionaires?
By Ian Whittaker, Nottingham Trent University and Gareth Dorrian, University of Birmingham
Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and his team successfully flew to the “edge of space” on the Unity 22 mission aboard a Virgin Galactic…
Freedom Day: small business owners may need to take extra precautions into their own hands to avoid…
SMALL BUSINESS FREEDOM DAY REPORT
The government has confirmed that ‘Freedom Day’ will go ahead as planned on Monday 19 July in a bid to boost the economy. But 53% of small businesses including freelancers and solopreneurs polled think…
Johnson and Sunak not to take part in daily contact testing pilot but others might
The Freelance Informer highlights what the daily contact testing pilot is, how it works and why some may be chosen to take part as the number of COVID cases will rise this August and September despite double vaccinations.
Following…
Most COVID deaths in England now are in the vaccinated – here’s why that shouldn’t alarm you
As we get older the risk of dying from COVID doubles every seven years. How do our chances change once we are fully vaccinated from COVID yet new variants emerge? Christian Yates, a Senior Lecturer in Mathematical Biology, University of…
Europe No. 1 Holiday spot for US Travelers Since Covid-19 but where can Brits go on holiday?
🧳SPECIAL TRAVEL REPORT
For the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, more US travellers are heading to Europe than any other destination. But depending on individual US state COVID regulations, British travellers and…
Inflation has arrived: 70% of UK businesses said they will increase prices
Many UK businesses struggling with rising costs are considering increasing the prices they charge customers, a new survey of Chartered Accountants has found. Should freelancers up their rates to keep in line with inflation?
ICAEW…
How your social media posts could get your freelance contract cancelled or worse
SPECIAL REPORT
Recruiters and umbrella companies should be taking a stance on social media policies for new and existing contractors to avoid reputational risk for their clients. But are contractors even aware of their social media…
Is it time to talk about location-based tech salaries?
The explosion of remote work has led to some interesting developments in tech salaries, according to Hays Technology Recruitment. The Freelancer Informer covers how to prep for rate rise talks.
In September 2020, Bloomberg…
Variants affecting fully vaxxed
From BBC host Andrew Marr to neighbours, friends and colleagues, people are catching COVID after double vaccinations. Some are bed-bound for a few days. Some are losing their lives. Medical experts comment on the latest developments on new…
Are contractors obliged to be office-bound or can they negotiate remote working?
SPECIAL REPORT: UK law states that employees can only request to work flexibly after 26 weeks of employment, with a limit of one request per 12-months. However, what about independent contractors or those that go through an agency? Two…
🎧Freelancer’s Lunch: should contractors ditch the CV and try something new?
🎧Freelancer's Lunch
As a contractor, should you have a CV? Or is it falling into IR35 territory? What role should the CV play in the future of contracting and consulting? None at all? Should seasoned contractors attract new clients…
Take a cue from Nextdoor: build a hyperlocal freelance business to revolutionise your revenues
If you already use the hyperlocal social media platform Nextdoor, you'll understand the value of connecting with neighbours and locals. From rating local businesses, exchanging goods and services to finding a lost pet you are benefiting…
How to land a new contract before you take off on holiday
"Before you take off on vacation, think of yourself", says Caroline Ramade, the founder of 50inTech, an online recruitment platform. She and her team have gathered more than 1000 jobs validated for women in tech. The variety of roles…
Self-isolation to be eased in UK for double jabbed adults by mid-August
From 16 August, double jabbed individuals and under 18s will no longer need to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19
As part of step 4 of the Government’s COVID-19 roadmap, double vaccinated…
Tips to curb spending as lockdown lifts
The UK government’s lifting of lockdown restrictions poses more temptation to spend and additional expenses. The same could hold true for freelancers in other markets, such as Australia, Asia and Europe.
The UK government’s announcement…
How to future-proof your freelance business and dream lifestyle
A vision board could motivate you to future-proof your freelance business and financial future. The Freelance Informer lays out a plan to create your vision board and how to put it to good use.
According to a TD Bank Survey in the…
Taxpayers to pay billions in COVID fraud and errors
Fraud and error in public spending are estimated to cost the taxpayer up to £51.8 billion every year. Around £25 billion is outside the tax and benefits system, according to a report published by the Public Accounts Committee.
From…
IR35 limbo: could it motivate UK contractors to move to Spain?
If contractors and project freelancers are in limbo over their IR35 status, disheartened by umbrella company fees, being replaced by overseas contractors and lower take-home pay, should they seriously consider repatriating to markets such…
Health alert: chemical toxins in food affect male fertility and boy foetuses, study finds
Toxic chemicals in our food and environment accumulate in the body and act like female hormones. Men are much more vulnerable than women to infertility due to pollutants.Endocrine-disrupting toxins in women are related to an increase…
Sunak set to rebuild The City by tapping China’s £40tn financial services market
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has big plans to woo China's $40tn financial services market to The City. Freelance consultants servicing the financial services industry should prepare for any upcoming opportunities. Ting Zhang, Co-Founder and CEO…
Self-employed and contractors should prepare for National Insurance tax hikes
Anyone who is self-employed in the UK should be preparing for increased national insurance rates, possibly at the same rate as employed taxpayers, according to Mark Collins, Head of Tax at Handelsbanken Wealth Management.
According to a…
How to complete a tax return if you received a COVID self-employment grant
If you received a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant and are struggling to find where to add this information on your tax return you are not alone. The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has provided a guide for that…
Gig sites exploiting “ghost workers” says Oxford study
Oxford report shows some freelance platforms fail minimum fairness standards. See which major English-language platforms were among those at the bottom of the scale and which ranked highest. Plus commentary on the…
Outside IR35 contracts may not stand up in court says legal expert
In an attempt to reduce uncertainty and assist businesses when making determinations, HMRC developed the 'Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST)' online tool. Although useful, the tool has been widely criticised for its inability to…
Pension tax is pushing NHS doctors into early retirement. Will locums fill the gap?
The number of doctors taking early retirement from the NHS has more than trebled over the past 13 years, official figures show. Many retired because of the large tax bills spurred by pension caps. Will locum doctors cover the exodus?
A…
Heart inflammation a rare side effect of mRNA vaccines in adolescents and teens
Since April 2021, there has been an increase in the number of cases of inflammation of the heart—called myocarditis and pericarditis—happening after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna), the Centre for Disease Control…
Could a minimalist lifestyle boost your bank balance and meaning in your life?
This philosophy is a popular one: the promise that we can maximise our lives with a minimalist lifestyle. But, by putting select old belongings into cardboard boxes or donating them, can we put more meaning into our lives?
A study…
Female engineers share their personal stories about working in the male-dominated sector
In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), three female engineers from Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE), share their personal stories about what inspired them to become engineers and why the sustainability and…
Contracting: it’s helping to eliminate ageism and the gender pay gap, says study
A study carried out by Ireland's Trinity Business School suggests that ageism does not carry over to the freelancing sector, with the researchers suggesting that experience is “highly valued” in the independent contractor market.
…
Will “all of life” communities make us happier and rebuild the UK economy?
Construction contractors, engineers, architects and zero-carbon experts should be at the heart of the UK's planning reform so that the Prime Minister's good intentions don't backfire. There is a call for all projects to embrace the lessons…
Tips to declutter your home office
Did you know that a cluttered home office can wreak havoc on your mind? Having to navigate piles of clutter can overstimulate your brain, a study has found. The solution? A tidy desk. The results? Focused concentration on your working…
New platform helps to keep contractors outside IR35
Looking for a way to remain outside IR35 and build your client network?
The Freelance Informer chats with Andy Barnes, Managing Director and Co-Founder of contractor and recruiter platform 6Prog on how it is offering contractors and…
Major IT projects: are they misunderstood by tax tribunals?
IT Contractor Robert Lee and his company Northern Lights have had his appeal dismissed against HMRC by Upper Tribunal. Dave Chaplin, CEO of ContractorCalculator offers his insights into the key lessons from the case.
HMRC has won a…
Outside IR35 contractor numbers to rise says specialist
IR35 expert, Qdos, has carried out research into the initial impact of private sector IR35 reform. And the findings reveal that contracting outside IR35 is far from over.
The research indicated that contracting outside IR35 has not been…
Contractors at highest risk for “fire and rehire tactics.” Time to make it illegal?
The Prime Minister’s reluctant acceptance of fire and rehire could give hiring companies carte blanche to use the ‘cruel’ tactic, the GMB Union has reported.
Responding to a question in Parliament on fire and rehire, PM Boris Johnson…
Quantum hacking – it could be here quicker than you think
Within a decade, quantum computers could be powerful enough to break the cryptographic security that protects cell phones, bank accounts, email addresses and — yes — bitcoin wallets, CNBC, the news business channel has reported.
…
Google and Okayplayer launch local news and pitch tool for freelance journalists
Google and progressive music news site Okayplayer have launched an initiative to help freelance journalists and publishers cover local news. The initiative is looking for new voices and willing to pay for stories that hit the mark.
The…
How to impress a Vegan at your next BBQ
Vegan barbeques are 43% healthier than regular meat-based barbecues, new research has revealed. But can they be just as impressive as a traditional meat fest on the grill?
Falafel burgers are the most popular vegan barbecue dish in the…
Face-to-face interviews are back (sort of)
Headhunters say the face-to-face interview is back, according to an efinancial careers report. However, initial Zoom interviews will still take place. Read what's changing in the interview process, plus the latest contractor opportunities.…
WFH has made payroll staff think and act like freelancers, says research
Salaried workers are now thinking and acting more like freelancers, according to a report by Freelance Informer partner, ETZ. But are hiring companies and recruiters on the same wavelength?
Factors such as the economics of downsizing…
HMRC’s points-based penalty system to charge higher fees for repeat offenders
HMRC is changing its tax return penalty system. It's aiming to punish repeat offenders and be more lenient towards those who make the odd mistake, reported Simply Business, the insurer. The Freelance Informer has covered the report's…
What’s holding back the largest freelance economy?
It is projected that in 2027, 86.5 million people will be freelancing in the United States and will make up 50.9 per cent of the total US workforce. However, there is a growing number of contract, freelance, and temporary workers there…
Join the June self-assessment challenge
In 2020, some 700,000 taxpayers left it to the very last day to file their self-assessment – with a nail-biting 26,562 taxpayers leaving it to the last hour, Crunch reported.
Preparing your self-assessment in June could help…
Gig workers take Post Office to court
Some 120 sub-postmasters have taken the Post Office to an employment tribunal in a bid to become ‘workers’ and receive employment rights. The workers are fighting for their right to paid holiday, pension rights and sick pay.
The…
Malt jobs platform to expand its freelancer network to UK, Benelux, Italy and the US
Malt, a Paris-based jobs platform for fixed-term contract freelancers, has raised €80 million in growth capital to expand its services to the UK, US, Benelux, and Italy.
Malt estimates that the annual freelance consulting market in…
How to raise emergency cash in a flash
If you need to raise some emergency cash for business or personal reasons, there are some easy ways to claw back funds, according to a report by Rest Less. Here are just a few to get you started.
Get overpayments back from your energy…
Cyberdesic launches US freelancer network
Cyberdesic, a US cybersecurity staffing firm, has launched an on-demand freelancer network. The firm is recruiting cybersecurity professionals from across the US who are interested in freelance opportunities.
The Freelance Informer…
Boxer to Businessman: How people like Max Wallace are starting up in their 50s
ONS data published last week showed employment among the 25-49s is now back at the rate it was at the start of the pandemic, whereas the employment rate among 50-64s has fallen by 1.3 percentage points. A report published in…
Remote working: it’s saving the planet and boosting ESG points
In 2020, Upwork, the freelancer jobs platform, conducted a survey of 760 team members to gather data on their commuting patterns to evaluate the extent to which Upwork’s remote working policy helped avoid commuting-related emissions. The…
Is buying professional indemnity cover on a price comparison site always a good idea?
Price comparison websites give quick results, but did you know that they tend to exclude whole sections of the professional indemnity insurance market? A business broker offers a PI policy checklist to help you in your search
Most…
Escape to New York this summer with JetBlue’s low fare offers
JetBlue Airways said it will start a transatlantic service this August, hoping to undercut the competition. The new route could be the perfect excuse for a getaway to New York City or as a starting point to an American road trip.
The…
Contractors may have to join forces to build back UK freelancer economy
For millions of freelancers, the UK's entrepreneurial spirit is broken. Over the past year, portfolio contractors and freelancers have battled with the pandemic alongside broken policy promises and IR35 reforms. Could freelancers join…
Non-judgmental text messaging campaign helps thousands of teens quit vaping
Marketing, content creators and others in the creative industries looking to motivate teens and young adults through targeted campaigns, should do so in a non-judgmental and supportive way, new research has found. One campaign has managed…
How to pay down debt faster
Try one of these strategies to get that debt monkey off your back.
Debt doesn't always have to be a dirty word.
A loan, for example, could help purchase a vehicle for a new business. A mortgage, a home, that over time could…
Construction workers headed towards pension poverty
The majority of construction workers in the UK are not saving towards their retirement, research by Unite, the UK’s construction union, has found.
“These figures are deeply troubling. With the majority of construction workers not saving…
Self-care: how to stop letting ourselves go
Pandemic or not, freelancers often take care of business before they take care of themselves. The Freelance Informer offers some insights and tips on how to balance the scales of self-employment and self-care.
How and why do we "let…
Economics study suggests we move home offices outdoors to boost productivity
If you have the freedom to work remotely, then take advantage of good weather and move your office outside. Having a change of scenery could help boost your mental health and productivity levels, according to an economics concept called…
Pfizer applies to MHRA to approve jab for young teens
Pfizer has applied to the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for permission to give the jab to young teens, it has been reported. The news comes at a time when secondary children later this month will no longer…
Jumpstart your freelance career in university
University could be the ideal time to start a freelance business
Every freelancer needs an arsenal of stories to tell
Whether you are interviewing with a recruiter to land your next contract or you are running solo and trying to land that amazing new client, there's a secret to becoming the most memorable applicant, according to careers site, Welcome to…
Recruitment agencies in hot seat over “mini umbrella company” fraud scheme
More than 40,000 people from the Philippines have been recruited to front British companies as part of a scheme costing the UK "hundreds of millions of pounds" in lost taxes, the BBC has reported. However, the scheme could never have…
Over 50s fear losing jobs, says report
People aged 50 and over who become unemployed are more at risk of long-term unemployment than younger people, said an Office for National Statistics (ONS) report.
While the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been greatest…
Help! I want to go on holiday. Who will take over my duties while I’m away?
Does the thought of taking a day or two off or going on holiday give you sleepless nights for fear of missing out on vital work calls or new leads? And when you do take a break, do you spend too much time checking work emails and social…
Match of the Day Host Gary Lineker to appeal £4.9m HMRC tax probe
Match of the Day host, Gary Lineker, is being pursued by HMRC in a First Tier Tax Tribunal carrying a potential £4.9m in tax liability.
According to HMRC, Lineker should have been operating ‘inside IR35’ on contracts held at the BBC…
Lack of financial support for small company owners is fast-track to unemployment and closures
In the UK, small business job losses look to have been almost double the losses for big businesses, according to a Xero Small Business Insights report. Without a sustainable recovery in small business based jobs it will be very challenging…
Upwork launches Work Marketplace to challenge old freelancer stereotypes- what is it and what does…
Upwork has launched a new industry category - the work marketplace. The move was made to give freelancers and companies multiple ways to 'Upwork'. But what does that mean?
What is Upwork's Work Marketplace?
According to Upwork, the…
Same-day grocery delivery – a market opp for freelancers, contractors and recruiters
The technology and customer service experience behind grocery delivery businesses and apps could spur job opportunities for freelancers, contractors and agency workers in the UK.
One player, in particular, goPuff, a US-based…
Freelance skills in highest demand
Following the initial shift from offline to online, businesses are now optimising their e-commerce sites, prioritising their brand image and getting creative. Digital transformation isn’t slowing down anytime soon and these services will…
How to win new business as a freelancer
Approaching companies for business can be daunting and time-consuming. But it doesn't always have to be. That's why The Freelance Informer has launched the Guide to Winning New Business, a simple step-by-step approach to putting your best…
True cost of IR35 to contractors and economy
Business insurer Simply Business surveyed 250 self-employed people in different professions, including IT, business consultancy, and project management. Two-thirds expect IR35 reform will significantly impact their business with no benefit…
The Pitch competition is now open!
If you are a freelancer with a big idea, a business still in the planning stages or ready to grow, this competition is designed to boost your skills, network and confidence.
The Pitch - now in its 14th year - is an independent pitching…
How to spot a scam HMRC message and what to do if you get one
No rest for the wicked. HMRC scammers are working 24/7. With the latest SEISS applications now open, the HMRC has had to alert taxpayers, especially the self-employed, to look out for a host of scams being beamed across text and WhatsApp…
Pfizer COVID-19 antiviral pill could be on market by year-end says CEO
An oral pill that can be taken at home to combat Covid-19 at the first signs of the illness could be available to the public by the end of 2021, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told CNBC on Tuesday. The antiviral treatment is also…
Heat your home office for less
The UK and much of Europe has had an unseasonably cold Spring so far. That means our central heating is still on and costing us. For anyone looking for ways to keep your workspace toasty without having the central heating blasting in…
Has the UK’s medicinal cannabis reform gone to pot?
Medicinal cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018, however, the NHS has only administered a handful of prescriptions, it has been reported. By contrast, 6,000 prescriptions have been prescribed in the same period through private…
Mortgage Outlook: Santander launches mortgage calculator for self-employed borrowers affected by the…
Santander will be launching a mortgage calculator for self-employed borrowers whose businesses have been affected by Covid-19, it has been reported by Mortgage Solutions. Earlier this month, it was announced that brokers will exclusively…
Government-backed mortgages: which lenders are signing up?
Getting on the property ladder may become a reality for many, which is a good thing. But who pays up if people cannot keep up with payments?
A new government-backed mortgage scheme will help first time buyers or current homeowners…
“Helping Hand’ Mortgage excludes self-employed
If you’re struggling to borrow enough to buy your first home, Nationwide said it may be able to give you a Helping Hand. From April 26, they are launching the lender's Helping Hand mortgage. Giving first-time buyers the option of…
Agency contractors: are your working patterns or shifts ruining your health?
Close to two-fifths (37%) of UK workers in full or part-time employment are given less than a week's notice of their shifts or work patterns, according to new research conducted by the…
Fans spoke and clubs listened: all English clubs pull the plug on European Super League
All English clubs have now pulled out of the European Super League, Sky Sports has reported. That means that Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed they will follow Manchester City and Chelsea's lead in…
Check out this week’s free webinars
Lunch and Learn with Enterprise Nation
Enterprise Nation is hosting daily Lunch and Learn webinars to give you a boost, offer some advice, and become part of your daily business schedule. Enterprise Nation team members are…
Do you want a future in Reality TV? This New skills fund could help
Screenskills has launched a new Unscripted TV Skills Fund to address skills gaps and shortages in the UK, Bectu has reported. The Fund will invest matched contributions from broadcasters and productions to address skills shortages,…
Suburbs or Country Village – which will give you more bang for your buck?
UK average house prices increased by 8.5% over the year to December 2020, up from 7.1% in November 2020, to stand at a record high of £252,000; this is the highest annual growth rate the UK has seen since October 2014 (latest ONS/Land…
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…
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…
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…
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…