This is how much more you’ll pay for everyday stuff
OBR predicts the biggest fall in living standards in a generation
Consumer inflation levels are reaching new highs, which means essential household items and so much more will spike in price. Personal finance experts show us how much…
Freelancer rates in these sectors could soar
A lot has been said about employment, inactivity and job vacancies over the pandemic, but what’s happening to earnings? Salary trends in earnings using payroll data from HMRC revealed which sectors are seeing the highest…
Freelancers leery over Future of Work Review
An independent employment status expert has called the latest Future of Work Review “absolutely ridiculous” given the government has yet to act on findings that have come out of previous reviews.
Limited company freelancers and…
How is HMRC’s “Don’t’ Get Caught Out” campaign “helping” contractors?
Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will.Nelson Mandela
Many of you may recall that back in April HMRC named and shamed tax avoidance schemes used by umbrella companies for the first time. There was even a video (see…
HMRC v. SEB: how can tax grabs from victims first, bad guys later ever be justified?
The omittance of any remark over the Employment Bill and the Single Enforcement Body in the Queen's Speech, speaks volumes of "indifference" about how discrimination against freelancers and solo business owners is reaching a fever pitch.…
Want a better broadband deal?
If you’re coming to the end of your broadband contract, you might be able to move to a faster connection and still save money. Here are the latest broadband deals courtesy of Uswitch. Plus tips to speed up your internet connection for…
Does your emergency fund stack up to these targets?
A new report suggests how much to save for an emergency fund based on where you live.
Freelancers and business owners express what the government should do next about the Cost of Living CrisisLatest on how Klarna could affect your…
Cybersecurity: can umbrella contractors afford to be as complacent as client staff?
Complacent attitudes among employees towards cybersecurity are putting UK businesses more at risk.
In a survey of 1,500 UK employees, 40% feel that upholding cybersecurity best practices is not their responsibility. So why does more…
Could the political party that gives a damn about freelancers and their contribution to the economy…
OPINION
When a nation’s employment options and freelancer freedoms are taken away from them, everyone suffers, including The Treasury and oddly enough, Countdown viewers. Katherine Steiner-Dicks highlights concerns over growing…
Dubai: new residency rules welcome freelancers and their families
More freelancers could call Dubai their home thanks to an overhaul of the Emirate's latest residency rules. Two new visas boast a no-sponsor-needed residency and are being highly praised for their flexible and long-term approach.
The…
Freelancers saved from big energy bills
Freelancers will be among those in Spain and Portugal who will see gas and power bills dropped significantly through a new law, as much as €90. But many freelancers in the UK are not holding their breath about a windfall tax on oil and gas…
When is it worth paying early redemption charges on a fixed-rate mortgage?
If the Bank of England rate hits 1.5%, it could mean more than a third of people with variable-rate mortgages face difficulties.Meanwhile, with 1.5 million fixed-rate mortgages set to expire this year, more than a third could face…
Bald jokes banned in the workplace
Calling someone bald is unlawful harassment, reports Osborne Clarke
Courtesy of Osborne Clarke's Employment Law Coffee Break
An employment tribunal has ruled that an electrician called a "bald ***t" during heated arguments…
IR35: Contractors lose their independence, now careers finds new report
Twelve months on Contractors are still considering leaving their profession due to IR35, according to a new survey. The news comes at a time that experts call for a boycott of the Future of Work Review as they predict it could stifle…
Why I bought the Hairy Bikers’ new healthy cookbook before it was even out on the shelves
I am not one for impulse purchases. But, on this one sunny morning, I made an exception. I happened to be on the way back from the school run and tuned into the Chris Moyles radio show when one of Britain’s foodie heroes came on – Si King…
What’s SUP? And could it be your “happy place”?
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a "happy" sport, according to Blue Planet founder Robert Stehlik. The low-impact activity could tick all those healthy boxes from core, balance, to muscle tone, to connecting with nature, plus it's a great…
Contractor blanket bans on the way says tax expert
The Court of Appeal’s decision in broadcaster Kaye Adams’ long-standing case against HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) could ultimately create more cases of blanket bans on freelancers and contractors if a less complex IR35 status test…
Umbrella companies: they’re stripping the UK of its entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth
OPINION
If Britain's millions of self-employed are increasingly being forced to pay for the privilege to work, then surely they should see some advantages. That just isn't the case when it comes to the nation's growing number of…
Here’s how Kremlin’s “sick masterminds” will bait everyone from our kids to…
UK-funded expert research has exposed how the Kremlin is using a troll factory to spread lies on social media and in comment sections of popular websites
"Cyber soldiers" are targeting politicians and audiences across a number of…
These freelancers could be out of pocket the most
Millions will feel the pinch, but which freelancers could be squeezed the most and why?Plus, what are the quickest ways to cut costs?
In April, 91% of people said the cost of living had increased – up from 62% in November. Freelancers,…
Freelancer escapes prison sentence for second time
Freelance travel agent’s business was booming until she landed herself with a suspended prison sentence
Dublin-based freelance travel agent, Kelli Kilpatrick, 34, mishandled nearly €29,000 from 31 holidaymakers and has received a fully…
What’s the average day rate for freelancers in the UK?
Some of the UK's 1.9 million freelancers are charging higher day rates and enjoying longer contacts, according to new research. Find out which disciplines are attracting the highest rates and longest projects.
Highly skilled…
IR35 litigation against freelancers set to change
A freelancer's career should be considered in its entirety when determining status under IR35 legislation, it has been declared in a Court of Appeal.
The decision came following a legal case, HMRC v Atholl House, involving presenter…
What do you do if you get a SEISS reassessment letter?
Freelancers and small business owners could receive a letter from HMRC identifying them as taxpayers who must repay all or part of their fourth or fifth self-employment income support scheme (SEISS) grant following a tax return…
The Bulb Bailout: is it morally justifiable right now?
As state bailouts go, the failed gas and electricity provider Bulb Energy is the largest since the £45.4bn Royal Bank of Scotland bailout of 2008. But something about this latest bailout is making many freelancers and small business owners…
Freelancers over 50 hit with more costs. Where are the perks?
Average premiums have risen 6.2% for the over-50s in the last three months, with motorists aged 25-49 also seeing increases of 4.1%. IMF forecasts that the UK's planned corporate tax rises from 19% to 23% may constrain the UK's economic…
What’s on this weekend across the UK?
Netflix saw one of its biggest exodus of subscriptions to date this week as people cut down on streaming costs. But if you are thinking, without Netflix, Now, or Sky Sports, what can we do? Check out what's going on this weekend across the…
How freelancers can get more done in a day
Not feeling the work-life balance lately? Feeling constantly under pressure with not enough time in the day to finish assignments? Then these time management tips for freelancers just might help you get that balance again.
Focus &…
Fraudsters invoice £7m in fake invoices to feed lavish lifestyle. How did they get away with it?
Three people were convicted of defrauding the taxpayer for over £1 million in a criminal scheme that exploited government systems designed to support businesses, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has reported. The people involved spent…
The best places freelancers can find new clients
Looking for new clients or a new business sector to pitch your freelance services to? Then one of the most effective ways to beat the competition is knowing where to look.
What are unicorns?
Unicorns are companies valued at $US1bn,…
IFS: interest rates could put students off university
The Institute for Fiscal Studies is calling on the government to urgently adjust the way the interest rate cap operates on student loans to avoid a significant spike in September.
English and Welsh graduates who took out a student loan…
Clients hiring veterans to save serious cash on NICs
Businesses hiring military veterans, including umbrella companies and recruitment agencies, can save thousands of pounds in employee National Insurance contributions.
The relief is available to all employers of veterans regardless of…
HMRC cracks down on workers’ tips and gratuity
Agency workers that receive tips or gratuity as part of their job or service industry, could have their employment records checked from time to time by HMRC. A review of their employer's records would be carried out by HMRC to make sure…
Freelancers now have dedicated airline
OP-ED
An airline in the US has been launched that will cater solely to freelancers, specifically content creators and brand influencers. Yes, you read that right. The airline, Willa Air, is funded in part by freelancer payment app,…
These tax year tips could help you make ends meet
“In the new tax year freelancers are having to deal with the most wide-ranging changes in personal income taxation for more than a decade, says Daniel Fallows, director of accountancy Gorilla.
“We have to go back as…
Inside IR35 contractors say goodbye to old salaries and weekends
IR35 reforms one year on: 60% of contractors report drop in income. Some end-clients are still exhibiting "inside IR35 or leave" blanket ban contractor policies.72% of contractors said that hiring businesses are not taking reasonable care…
I work through two contractor agencies. Am I paying too much tax?
TAX CLINIC
A government contractor that works via two agencies, writes in to find out if they are paying too much tax and if they ever had to apply for Universal Credit could they do it if their agencies pay in arrears at very different…
Poll: British economy “devastated” by IR35
Changes to the off-payroll working rules in the UK, namely IR35, have had “devastating economic consequences for businesses,” according to a poll of more than 500 companies. Over two in five companies (42%) reported that the IR35 reforms…
How to get through a divorce during the cost of living crisis
Going through a divorce in the middle of a cost of living crisis will be difficult for most, but probably even more so for freelancers given their demanding work deadlines and constant juggling between projects. That's why going through a…
Sole director contractors warned they could be limited to unaffordable mortgage rates
Mortgage lenders including Santander have announced that they are changing their affordability calculations on 6 April, taking into account not just rising energy bills and household expenditure as per the revised ONS data, but also the…
How freelancing parents can receive help with Easter childcare costs
Working parents could get up to £2,000 a year to pay for regulated childcare, including holiday clubs and out-of-school activities in the Easter holidays.
GOVERNMENT STATEMENT
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding working…
Your limited company has received an HMRC discovery letter. What do you do first?
TAX CLINIC
Q: What steps should I take if I receive a “discovery” letter from HMRC as a limited company freelancer who does not work through a recruitment agency, umbrella or payroll company?
A: A discovery assessment, most likely…
Freelancers take client to court for unpaid bills
Freelancers are taking the owner of Dragonfly Digital Video Services to court over thousands of pounds of unpaid bills, it has been reported by Brighton and Hove News.
The news report stated that the news service has spoken to several…
Contractors blindsided by MSC tax charges
HMRC has issued letters to thousands of contractors, demanding up to £50,000 from them. The tax office is arguing that contractors have breached the MSC legislation – this is despite HMRC not having established all of the facts, says Seb…
My home office needs a makeover. Can I expense it?
TAX CLINIC
Q: I want to redecorate my home office since I do a lot of client calls online and informative videos for my business. What can I expense on the business and what would need to be claimed if I sold the house in say 10 years’…
Is joining an umbrella company a good way to jumpstart a freelance career?
If you’re interested in trying out contract working and are not ready to register your own company yet, umbrella companies could provide a taster into freelancing. With an existing client bank and full administrative control, it’s arguably…
What’s the secret to becoming an ISA millionaire?
There are 973 Hargreaves Lansdown ISA millionaires – up from 576 last year - or 69%.There are 2,000 ISA millionaires in the UK.The average age of an HL ISA millionaire is 72.The most common age among HL ISA millionaires is 73, but we have…
Fiscal drag to trap more freelancers into 40% tax bracket
By Daniel Fallows
As the UK faces a cost-of-living crisis with inflation reaching its highest level for 30 years and the Bank of England forecasting that inflation will rise further to 8% this year – Rishi Sunak has been…
Virtual events on the hunt for freelance tech talent
With demand for virtual events rising, a new report reveals more than half of marketing directors are facing a technical skills shortage, leading them to outsource services.
Brand experience agency, FIRST, has published a report,…
National Insurance threshold hike: will it impact your state pension entitlement?
In April 2022 the Health and Social care levy comes into effect. This is a 1.25 percentage point increase on National Insurance contributions.The Chancellor had been under pressure to scrap the increase in the face of the rising cost of…
NI threshold raised to £12,570 but some freelancers will be worse off next year says expert
NEWSFLASH
From July, the National Insurance threshold will rise to £12,570 (it had been scheduled to rise from £9,568 to £9.880). 70% of people will pay less NI than they do this year.Income tax will be cut by the end of the parliament…
P&O Ferries: Will British agency staff ever trust the maritime sector again?
Crew Inspections Have Started On P&O Ferries As Airlines Step In To Recruit Redundant Staff
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will be carrying out inspections before any of the eight P&O Ferries affected by the mass…
NICs hike: call for recruitment agencies and end clients to pay up for umbrella contractors
Recruitment agents and their end clients need to “step up to the plate and increase assignments fees to cover the cost to the worker”, according to the FCSA’s CEO, Chris Bryce.
The FCSA’s call for higher contractor pay, especially for…
PSCs and contractors can reclaim duplicated taxes
If a contractor’s personal service company (PSC) and the agency or client that has engaged them have paid tax on the value of the same contract, the PSC and/or contractor should be able to reclaim any duplicated taxes, according to…
Help! I think my umbrella company is going bust
TAX CLINIC
Welcome to The Freelance Informer's Tax Clinic where freelancers write in to get their tax questions and dilemmas addressed. This week a reader writes in about what to do if they have unpaid wages and they think their…
5% fuel duty cut welcome but the government is still making 80p per litre at the pumps
Fuel duty is a drop in the ocean, says personal finance expert. Others serving self-employed workers are asking for tougher, perhaps unpopular measures
The Spring Statement has cut fuel duty by 5p a litre.Currently fuel duty costs…
The Spring Statement: what should freelancers expect and what could surprise them?
Just when work opportunities and day rates started to soar towards pre-pandemic levels, freelancers could see those gains wiped out.
The cost of living crisis will be exacerbated for freelancers come April 2022 when increased national…
Money-saving tips for freelancers
Freelancers do not have the luxury of always getting paid on time, this means that certain months they have to find ways to stretch their money. Here are some tips to help ease the cost of living, plus a proactive payment reminder template…
Freelancers could see rate rises wiped out in 2022
The enormous impact of HMRC moving and freezing income holds in recent years has been revealed.
Great Britain's Office for Budget Responsibility changed its forecasts to reflect higher inflation, which means not only will more people…
LimeWire makes comeback just as NFT interest fizzles
Google Trends has suggested that people are losing interest in non-fungible tokens (NFTS), yet that could be because they do not realise the possibilities, according to new research and one company, in particular, LimeWire.
LimeWire…
Ukrainian Child Cancer Patients Brought To The UK In Urgent Flight To Receive Treatment On NHS
21 Ukrainian children with cancer have been brought to England to receive care through the NHS, the government has reported. The UK partnered with St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a non-profit US organisation that specialises in…
Freelancers in financial services could see their workload shrink
“If a portfolio manager teleported from 2020 into 2030, they would most likely not recognise their industry.” - Daniel Celeghin, Indefi
Asset managers will increasingly struggle to run global enterprises, as cross-border investments…
Award-winning freelancer and peacekeeper shot and killed by Russian forces in Ukraine
Craig (left) and Brent Renaud (right) produced award-winning films and documentaries; Photo source: RenaudBrothers (@renaudbrothers) • Instagram photos and videos
Brent Renaud, a 50-year-old freelance filmmaker, came under fire by…
Want To Win Over Mum’s Heart This Mother’s Day?
MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE
Not sure what gift to get the Mums in your life this Mother's Day? The Freelance Informer offers some guidance on great gift ideas from the clever, beautiful, charitable, inspirational to even the sustainable.
…
Upwork helps preserve careers of Ukraine freelancers and suspends all ties with Russia and Belarus…
Upwork, the freelancer talent platform, has suspended all business operations in Russia and Belarus, taking full effect by May 1, 2022. It has already started shutting down Upwork support for new business generation in both countries.
…
US tightens H-1B visas to crack down on foreign outsourcing companies. Could the UK do the same?
The US is cracking down on outsourcing highly skilled jobs to foreign workers. Could the UK be next? Or is that just wishful thinking for the thousands of UK freelancers and contractors that have witnessed the UK Brain Drain first-hand…
SAP contractor, 54, forced out of the market on cost
OPINION
Nick Bremner, a UK-based SAP Contractor says he has finished his last “contractor project” with no intention of going back to the contractor life anytime soon. Bremner shares in his own words his experiences as an SAP…
SteadyPay offers interest-free £1K salary “top-up” loans for freelancers
London-based SteadyPay, a payment solutions lender for workers with fluctuating income (contractors, temp workers, and shift workers), says it is not only helping its subscribers with salary “top-ups” but building their…
Dyson to recruit 2000 engineers and digital experts despite “forced” labour legal claims
Dyson, the global home electronics designer and manufacturer, could struggle to hire up to 2000 new recruits following claims of labour abuse in its manufacturing supply chain.
Following a Channel 4 news report (see video report and…
Can you eat your way out of getting cancer?
SPECIAL REPORT
What you'll find in this report:
👉🏽The single most predominant factor that will increase your chances of getting cancer
👉🏽Foods and lifestyle changes that can help starve cancer cells, plus healthy recipes
👉🏽What…
Contractors looking to buy a new home or switch mortgages need to spot these red flags
Photo by Ravi Kant from Pexels
A spike in conditional selling, whereby estate agents pressure and insinuate that buyers will have a better chance of landing a property from a vendor if they are "financially verified" in-house, means…
The brave international freelancers staying in Ukraine: who are they?
SPECIAL REPORT
International freelancers are bravely covering the escalating conflict in Ukraine. Some are even working free of charge.
If you don’t know who Alex Lourie is, you may know his work. Alex is the American freelance…
“SJD had copies of my passport, my bank transfers, and other hugely sensitive information.”
Dustin Gorski, 35, a freelance software engineer living in London, trading as Dusted Codes reveals what it was like to be affected by the Optionis ransomware attack and what he's done to rectify his situation.
Gorski, is a freelance…
Tech firms extend support to freelancers in Ukraine
Companies, such as Netguru, have said that they are ready to support their freelancers in Ukraine.
The company said in an online statement: "We are ready to take action and are already in touch with our Ukrainian employees, partners and…
Russian invasion intensifies over Ukraine border: are ports and cyberattacks on Europe and US next?
There have been reports of Russian Federation-initiated attacks on key military bases, civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. The Department of Homeland Security has set up a page warning of cyberattacks emanating from Russia, and both the…
How easy is it to become a freelance solicitor?
By Bradon Matthews with additional reporting by K. Steiner-Dicks
The legal industry is one of the biggest areas of opportunity for freelance work. But many solicitors that have branched out on their own have been missing out on a vital…
New publisher on the hunt for writers
Nearly two years and 50 books later, a husband-and-wife duo is launching their publishing start-up, Noodle Fuel, at this year’s Bologna Children’s Book Fair. And it’s looking for writers.
Writers looking for a new outlet for their…
How can freelancers avoid a “jobfish” scandal?
The Madbird design agency scandal unearthed an elaborate “jobfish” scheme that impacted up to 50 remote workers across the globe, placing many in debt. What steps can freelancers take to ensure they are dealing with a legitimate client and…
Are you better off as a contractor or consultant in 2022?
Inside IR35 jobs have made skilled contractors question if they can even afford this method of employment. What’s the point if you are no longer self-employed? Are forced to become an umbrella employee, which, for some, has meant late…
BT Digital invests £30m in freelancer platform. Which corporate is next to join the trend?
First of its kind contract means BT Digital has a stake in an IT freelancer talent platformThe partnership will see Distributed provide on-demand, Elastic Teams™️ in AI, cloud, product, design and more for BT DigitalThe deal…
What does JSA’s acquisition of 6CATS mean for contractors?
JSA Group, an umbrella company based in Watford, has made yet another acquisition, its eighth deal since 2018. This time it has acquired 6CATS Group, a London-based global independent contractor compliance and payment services business.…
KPMG To Scale Services With New Hires Despite Internal Challenges
Global business services firm KPMG is to grow its South West team after being integral to the firm’s pre-tax profit of £436m, it has been reported. The news comes at a time when the firm is facing several internal hurdles, including a…
Cost of living set to cancel out freelancer rate rises
TOPIC OF THE WEEK
How will freelancers and micro-businesses make ends meet in 2022 in the face of rising food, energy and fuel prices? Should the government step in before it’s too late?
The hiring boom is set to continue for 2022,…
How Adrian Chiles Won His £1.7m IR35 Tax Appeal (for Now): the key freelancer takeaways
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN UPDATED
The Freelance Informer reports on the key takeaways of the Presenter Adrian Chiles’ 7-year legal battle with HMRC that proves he was truly self-employed; why independent oversight is required for such cases…
This debt collection platform claims it has a foolproof way to get you paid fast
A British entrepreneur who recently launched an automated digital platform to collect business debts believes he has settled the country's oldest invoice – and in less than an hour. The news comes at a time that freelancers, small…
Timerr: UAE launches “Fiverr” style platform for crypto
BLOCKCHAIN AND THE FUTURE OF FREELANCER RECRUITMENT
Timerr.Io, a freelancer platform dedicated exclusively to cryptocurrency professionals run out of UAE's Media City will be onboarding freelancers in a matter of days, it has been…
This one word is killing your charisma, folks
“Most of us, most of the time, aren’t consciously trying to be the centre of attention. But we can fall into this trap subconsciously, focusing on ourselves in ways that are anti-charismatic. Humour me for a moment and try this exercise…”…
IR35: can contractors claim back tax offsets?
HMRC estimates that the 2021 IR35 reforms to the private sector will or already have affected around 180,000 personal service contractors, compared to the estimated 50,000 contractors already affected by the 2017 public sector reforms.…
How to market yourself after a career break
By Shona Chambers, Marketing Consultant, Shona Chambers Marketing
Career breaks that start out short term can end up lasting much longer, for all kinds of reasons.
Maybe you’ve been busy raising a family, been made redundant or come…
Umbrella contractors: do you think your data has been leaked?
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Should umbrella company contractors, worried about recent cyber attacks, request a Protective Registration against their personal details? And expect a refund of the related expenses to be paid by their umbrella…
Who is Gordon Berger?
Gordon Berger, a digital artist and "NFT and Crypto Art Movement pioneer", is giving a 5-day intensive course through auction house Christie's to provide a complete overview of the NFT landscape. Berger minted three of the first 100 tokens…
Contractor input excluded from Off-Payroll report
HMRC has published its report, ‘Long-term effects of the Off-Payroll working rules reform for public sector organisations’, but some IR35 and contractor industry experts suggest the report appears self-serving and one-sided.
The…
time to talk: suicide is rife among self-employed construction workers says new data
SPECIAL REPORT
Builders had the highest annual turnover among self-employed UK tradespeople in 2021, according to new research. However, not all is rosy for the sector.
According to the ONS, self-employed men in construction are…
Freelancers from around the world share their recipes
Hayden Brown, the CEO of freelancer job platform Upwork, was in need of some food inspiration to spice up yet another "covid-induced-at-home-date-night" when a new cookbook from a community of Upwork freelancers came her way. The recipes…
Umbrella Companies Could See A Spree Of Class Action suits From Workers Following New Judgment on…
During his six-year engagement with Pimlico Plumbers, Gary Smith, was never given any right to paid annual holidays, according to Michael Ford, QC at Old Square Chambers. But the heating engineer has seen a change of fate with the Court of…
In debt and dating? How to approach the money talk
Talking about money when you are on one of those loved-up first dates is like ripping off a plaster on a healing wound. The damage may leave a scar on your blooming relationship. But when you avoid the subject of money early on in dating…
Umbrella company workers slammed again
The Chancellor and Prime Minister have confirmed that the National Insurance rise will go ahead this April – a move that freelancers, contractors and their fellow small business owners know will hit them hard in the midst of a cost of…
New rate card Puts Stop To freelancer Exploitation
Bectu, the trade union for TV and film workers, including thousands of freelancers, has published rate guidance for members in unscripted television. The move is unprecedented as the first reference point for members and employers in the…
Man quits career of 35 years to launch “Middle School MBA”
The old adage that money makes the world go round doesn't always make sense to kids or many adults for that matter. Let's face it, most people will find the concept of business studies and economics "boring" or "too tough to understand."…
How to become your client’s Workforce data hero
Data analysis for environmental, governance and sustainability (ESG) reporting is no easy task for any organisation. Let's face it, ESG is now part and parcel of workforce data and someone has to make sense of it. Someone has to lead a…
Freelancer Payment crisis threatens livelihoods
Younger freelancers aged 18-24 are more likely to leave freelancing55% of freelancer invoices are paid over a month late and the problem is getting worse23.7% or one in four freelancers currently considering their position because of late…
Freelance Voiceover artist gives mother lasting gift
Working as a freelance voiceover artist and video producer has provided Shenteria Childs with many career and lifestyle opportunities. Freelancing has provided her, like so many other independent workers, the financial freedom to travel to…
Inside IR35 v. the pandemic: which is the bigger threat to freelancers in 2022?
IR35 seen as ‘biggest threat’ to £300bn contracting sector in 2022 Ten times more contractors are most concerned by IR35 than the impact of the pandemicA spree of cyberattacks on umbrella companies has left inside IR35 workers…
National insurance tax hike: “now is not the time”
With a spree of tax hikes introduced at the height of a cost of living crisis, April 2022 could go down in British political history as the Spring of discontent.
“Now is not the time for a tax hike: the National Insurance rise in…
The Pallo backstory: The Freelancers That launched an app to fix their biggest problem
I came across a fintech startup called Pallo over on Product Hunt. It wasn't just the product that intrigued me, but the freelancers-turned-founders' back story.
Pallo, an AI integrated business and personal finance app designed by…
How inflation can create opportunities for freelancers
A Totaljobs study reveals that higher inflation and the subsequent cost of living is expected to have the biggest impact on the labour market in 2022, according to 62% of businesses. This is higher than candidate shortages (45%), a high…
Have you tried deep working yet?
Multitasking is overrated. Well, any parent or entrepreneur could have told you that. But there's some science that backs that statement up. According to research and science presented in Cal Newport's book Deep Work, a singular focus on a…
Why now is a good time for freelancers to raise rates
Sarah Coles, Hargreaves Lansdown Senior Personal Finance Analyst and Podcast Host for Switch Your Money On, offers tips to freelancers in times of growing inflation.
BY SARAH COLES
At times of higher inflation, it’s really important…
More skilled professionals to enter freelancing in 2022
What does the growth of the highly skilled, educated freelancer mean for the freelancer economy and contractor recruitment in 2022?
There is a shift away from ‘gig work,’ and instead, increasing growth in the number of skilled and…
58% of freelancers and SMEs waiting to be paid
Small Business Commissioner Fights For On-Time Payment For Freelancers
Barclays and Small Business Commissioner call to unite the small business community to tackle late payments and raise the social conscience of larger businesses who…
The sports Metaverse is turning the love of sport into a decentralised money-maker
HOT SECTOR TO WATCH: SPORTS METAVERSE
The evolution of immersive sport or the "sports metaverse" – that place that brings sports fans together through virtual reality, NFT sports player card marketplaces and live streaming – is…
Disgruntled Freelancers: Employers Have You On Their Radar
CONTRACTOR RECRUITMENT
Regardless of their remote-only or "freelance" LinkedIn status, freelancers and contractors are increasingly being approached by employers, according to a new survey.
“Targeting disgruntled freelancers or…
“Our jobs aren’t a luxury. They’re our careers.”
Britain's world-renown theatre workers could be taking a final bow
Could you imagine putting in hours of your skill and time into a project, passing up on other work to complete said work, only for it to be cancelled or delayed…
IR35 Impact: Will 2022 be a better year for contractors?
Fresh cry for radical change to Off-payroll legislation after IR35 impact survey reveals lasting damage to talent and Treasury revenues
Revelations over the “IR35 impact” and subsequent Off-Payroll legislation on the private sector…
How to pass the soft skills test to land your dream client
With the greater use of artificial intelligence in recruitment, there is a strong likelihood that soft skill "buzzwords" will be picked up by job portals, ranking some candidates up higher in the short-listing process than others. Here are…
Freelancers: the “real life” Teachers that schools need
Many schools and colleges would like to increase their financial and career education efforts but they are hindered by a busy timetable, curriculum and a lack of skills and knowledge. That's according to the Money and Pension Service's…
Political palava: MP salary boost same day as NI tax hike
Many freelancers and small business owners would like to see the national insurance tax hike set for this April to be postponed. But in light of upcoming MP pay rises and soaring energy prices, a growing number of them are calling for the…
Fintech: why it needs freelancers to maintain its growth
OPINION
It pays to track investment trends when you're a freelancer. The sectors that attract the most cash are equally on the hunt for talent. A case in point is fintech, which saw bumper growth last year and is on track to keep the…
Court thwarts HMRC’s tax grab on freelancers
The outcome of a landmark and very personal First-Tier Tax Tribunal case, that dragged on for five years, is a reminder to all freelancers and small business owners that, sometimes, a battle is worth fighting for.
Businesses owners,…
female freelancers on edge over pension poverty
Over 7 in 10 (71%) freelancers are worried about saving for later life following COVID-19, with female freelancers most likely to be affected, according to research carried out by IPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the…
Days of Fixed-term contracts in Spain are numbered
INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTOR SPECIAL REPORT
Contractors dreaming to land freelance or fixed-term contracts in Spain might have to re-think their plans. Labour reforms are set to stifle temporary and fixed-term contracts, which is also bad…
Disastrous December for Freelancers: what happened?
For some freelancers and solopreneurs, the December 2021 trading period was a time when everything fell into place. For others, everything seemed to fall apart. What lessons can be shared? And should government widen its freelancer support…
Competition heats up amongst freelancers
☕COFFEE BREAK: SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
With almost 35% of the global workforce self-identifying as freelance talent, the freelance economy is bound to expand greatly in the coming years. This is good news for freelance talent and for…
Kwarteng’s crackdown: directors who dissolve companies to evade debts could be disqualified up…
The UK Insolvency Service has been granted new powers to tackle unfit directors who dissolve companies to avoid paying their liabilities. But the news should not put off legitimate businesses that want to close up shop. They just have to…
Experts reveal 2022 property market predictions
With Nationwide's December House Price Index just out, property experts reveal their 2022 predictions for the UK housing market, including the impact rising interest rates could have on housing stock and where all those Londoners…
What every freelancer must prepare for in 2022
While running your own business as a freelancer you can easily miss news and government policies that could impact your financial well-being. The Freelance Informer outlines just a few things that every freelancer should prepare for in…
Over 70s fastest-growing group of freelancers
New research has revealed that people in their 70s and 80s shifted into self-employment to become freelancers faster than any other age group in the UK over the past two years, which brings to light a whole host of questions about how…
Stories that spoke to freelancers the most
The Freelance Informer re-launched at the height of the COVID pandemic, which was one of the most testing times for PSC contractors, freelancers and small business owners. We look back at the stories and issues that triggered the interest…
HMRC late payment interest rates to increase
HMRC interest rates for late payments will be going up following the Bank of England interest rate rise to 0.25%.
The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee voted on 16 December 2021 to increase the Bank of England base rate to 0.25%…
DWP pilots auto-enrolment plans for self-employed
Two pilots have been announced by the Department for Work and Pensions to test new forms of auto-enrolment pension savings plans that keep the variable income of the self-employed in mind.
Nest Insight, a public-benefit research and…
IR35 + Automation = disaster for UK’s digital skills gap
More than two-thirds (67%) of digital leaders globally are now unable to keep pace with change because of a dearth of the talent they need, according to Harvey Nash Group.Cyber security is the most sought after tech skill with 43%…
aerospace execs indicted in recruitment conspiracy
When an unscrupulous employer or recruitment fraudster gets their comeuppance, it's not just in Hollywood films. At times, it happens in real life. Take the recent example of an unfolding US labour market conspiracy that emerged earlier…
Education agencies prep for high demand as education secretary calls for ex-teachers to return to…
Omicron expected to cause increased staff absence levels in the spring term, with former teachers and supply agencies needed to expand supply staff across the country.
The Government is asking former teachers who have the skills and…
2022: experts reveal freelance market predictions
Recruitment and IR35 specialists outline their predictions and wishes for freelancers in the new year including:
most in-demand freelance servicesrate risesgovernment policy impacts on independent workforce
“We are seeing an…
Most side hustlers profiting £1000 or more a month
A boom in side-hustles means side-hustlers are now contributing an estimated £72bn to the UK economy with as many as 25% of adults having a side hustling today, according to research carried out by Caunce O’Hara and analysis Henley…
New app maps out your dream home in minutes
The rise in remote and hybrid working means many Britons are spending fewer days commuting to and from the office. Is it time hybrid contractors started searching for a new place to live?
Because of this reduced travel time, many…
Off-payroll Legislative “side effects” are piling up
The impacts or "side effects" of Off-payroll legislation and private sector IR35 reform on the flexible labour market have been unravelling fast since April, as The Freelance Informer has previously reported. Yet, there seems to be an…
How much could a cyber-attack cost a freelancer?
Cyber-crime continues to be a major concern for freelancers and small business owners with as many as 51% falling victim to a cyber security breach. How much could one cost you?
In a survey that polled 1000 respondents, self-employment…
set up a second-hand business
From second hand car parts, furniture, clothes, jewellery, home decor, laptops, mobile phones to white goods find out which second-hand products are in high demand from customers and insurers who see the green benefits.
Waste not,…
Intergenerational online gaming: why it’s so important
🎄HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES🕯️
With the holiday season upon us, family gatherings could be even more memorable by encouraging multiple generations to play a video game together. Did you just roll your eyes? Haven't touched a video game since the…
Freelancers should build Next-Gen gaming studios
OPINION
With more than half of the UK population playing online games since the onset of the pandemic, gaming sector users are diversifying on so many levels (age for one). The problem is, those working in the industry are not. With…
Self-employed estate agents prep for change in 2022
PROPERTY SPECIAL REPORT
Property market specialists share their expectations over what shape the UK property market will take in 2022 now that there’s talk of The Bank of England loosening mortgage criteria. Plus the latest on the…
Australia-UK FTA Signed, boon for freelancers
Freelancers, contractors and highly skilled professionals from the UK, including lawyers, will now be able to work in Australia temporarily and Aussie firms will no longer have to prioritise hiring Australian nationals first. The benefits…
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…
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…
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…