Here are some of the news stories we have been monitoring over the past week
Liquid Friday: the latest developments and contractor reactions
Following Contractor Voice’s report of umbrella company Orange Genie allegedly being systematically skimming from contractors’ salaries for years, the site has reported that it has been inundated with contractors submitting their payslips for auditing and raising concerns over umbrella payroll compliance.
FCSA’s Liquid Friday’s Huge Hidden Profits- Are They Legal? – Contractor Voice
Salary Skimming: Whose Money Is Actually Being Deducted?
While not all Freelance Informer readers are contractors or umbrella company workers, many are, so they will be interested to know that “salary skimming” has no definition in the FCSA’s codes of conduct. Plus, Orange Genie speaks out against allegations.
Salary skimming: whose money is actually being deducted? – Freelance Informer
IPSE Freelancer Awards
The IPSE Freelancer Awards celebrated the achievements of the UK’s brightest and best freelancers, as well as organisations that do the most to support the self-employed on Wednesday night.
IPSE was delighted to receive an incredible 100 entries this year and the virtual judging panel has now selected the all-important winners. The awards ceremony was hosted at the Barbican Centre in London, hosted by quizzer and broadcaster, Paul Sinha!
Congratulations to Olivier Jamin, 2022’s IPSE Outstanding Freelancer of the Year!
Olivier, an award-winning contemporary artist was chosen for the excellence and innovation he brings to everything he does, whether working on his own creative projects or working tirelessly for his community.
Check out his artwork here: Olivier Jamin, Deaf Artist (ojart.net)
Check out the finalists below, including Freelance Informer’s nomination for the Community Freelancer Award – we couldn’t be more chuffed!
The IPSE Freelancer Awards 2022 | IPSE
Building trade: why are the Conservatives punishing us?
Draconian and flawed off-payroll working rules must be reformed if Rishi Sunak is to have any prospect of winning over a crucial part of the electorate, says Dave Chaplin.
The Conservatives have punished the self-employed | Comment | Building
Liverpool creative freelancers have a say on working conditions
People working freelance across the Liverpool City Region’s vast creative industry are being asked to take part in a national survey to obtain a clear understanding of the challenges they face in a bid to improve working conditions.
Self-employed mortgages
It pays to use a mortgage broker who not only understands how a freelancer may pay themselves a mix of salary, dividends and company loans, but who has contacts with lenders who also have provided mortgages to the self-employed. Here’s a case study which shows what to expect if you are self-employed and looking to purchase a new home and require a higher mortgage.
Case study: How I get mortgage deals for the self-employed – FTAdviser.com
Freelancer platform or cold call clients?
Freelancers face the same dilemma all the time — should you sign up for a freelance marketplace like Upwork or Fiverr, or make your own way by directly contacting business owners and offering your services?
The benefits of having a website as a freelancer
Just because you are starting a side hustle or a student does not mean you shouldn’t have a website. For one, it will provide more assurance to potential customers that you are serious and verified. A website also does some of the marketing load for you with samples of your work and customer testimonials.
The Best Countries To Be A Digital Nomad
Freelancers looking to work abroad for a change of pace or a better quality of life, may want to check out some of these digital nomad-friendly locations.
The best countries to be a Digital Nomad – Freelance Informer
Whether you are looking to launch a freelance writing career or revive one this has some great tips
Millions of people are quitting their 9-5 jobs for a freelancing career. If you are on the verge of taking that leap, here are five crucial things you need to know.
5 Things to Know Before Launching a Freelance Writing Career (entrepreneur.com)
Can’t pay your taxes on time?
Here’s what you’ll need to make a Time to Pay arrangement.
Tories Must Stop Sugarcoating Their “Small Business Support”
PM Rishi Sunak spoke to an audience at the CBI this week expressing that the Conservative government wants to “support small businesses to innovate.” But few in the audience were convinced those words would amount to anything concrete in the form of reformed tax or small business incentive policies.
Tories must stop sugarcoating their “small business” and startup “support” – Freelance Informer