AI Is Turbo-Charging Cyber Attacks: Are You Ready?
Artificial intelligence has changed the rules of cybercrime. Attacks that once required significant skill and resource can now be executed at scale, at speed and with unsettling precision. It doesn’t matter what sector you’re in or how big your organisation is, if you hold any form of personal or sensitive data, you are a target….
Audit-ready signing and communications for today’s contractor supply chain
Across the UK contractor supply chain, compliance is an operational reality rather than a theoretical exercise. For umbrella companies, payroll providers, and recruiter partners, everyday activities such as contract signing, onboarding, and payroll communications must be carried out in a way that is consistent, traceable, and defensible. During audits or reviews, the focus is rarely…
Miss E Bibescu v Clare Jenner Limited t/a Jenner’s
Background The Claimant was employed by the Respondent from 21 November 2018 until her dismissal on 11 June 2020. The Respondent had ongoing concerns about the Claimant’s standard of work. As a result, a subcontractor was asked to carry out a “peer review” of the Claimant’s work after several mistakes were identified. The Claimant was…
Strengthening Protections in the Temporary Labour Market: Inside the Make Work Pay Consultation
On 6 February 2026, the Department for Business and Trade launched its Make Work Pay: Modernising the Agency Work Regulatory Framework consultation. This consultation seeks views on the Government’s proposals to strengthen the regulatory landscape governing the temporary labour market, with the dual aim of enhancing worker protections while minimising burdens on businesses. For context,…
AI: Opportunities, risks, and responsible adoption in recruitment
AI is increasingly used throughout recruitment processes to improve efficiency, scalability, and consistency. Key applications include: Sourcing: AI tools help identify candidates with specific skills and experience, such as LinkedIn’s talent search features. Screening: Algorithms sift through CVs and applications, filtering candidates based on keywords and criteria. Psychometric testing: AI-driven gamification software assesses personality traits…
Cyber now tops the risk list for business interruption
If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that businesses are far more resilient to physical disruption than we once thought. Offices closed, commutes stopped, and whole industries shifted overnight, but still work continued. Laptops, cloud tools and remote access kept thousands of organisations moving through what turned out to be a prolonged,…
Building a Strong Foundation for Data Security
In an era where data breaches dominate headlines, security can no longer be treated as a checkbox, it must be the cornerstone of every digital system. For technology providers and businesses alike, true resilience begins with prevention, not reaction. Payroll data, in particular, is a prime target because it combines money, identity, and trust, the…
Holiday Pay and the Fair Work Agency: Key Compliance Points for Umbrella Companies
The introduction of the Fair Work Agency (“FWA”) in April 2026 could significantly change how holiday pay compliance is monitored and enforced. In addition, the Employment Rights Act 2025 (“ERA 2025”) will introduce new statutory duties into the Working Time Regulations 1998 (“WTR”) around holiday pay recordkeeping that employers should address well ahead of implementation….
Employment Rights Act 2025: what’s in force, what’s next, and what’s still to be written?
April 2026 marks the first round of important changes under the Employment Rights Act 2025 (“ERA 2025”) for those operating in the labour supply chain. Here’s a summary of the most relevant upcoming legal changes for umbrella companies from April and beyond. Paternity and Parental Leave From 6 April 2026, employees gain dayone rights to…
How RPO Companies Impact Umbrella Businesses?
Umbrella companies function under a complex legislative framework with dual responsibilities – contractor employment and tax liability. As the legislative system and tax structures keep changing intermittently, umbrella companies might experience strained resources while attempting to manage these obligations themselves. This is when the involvement of recruitment process outsourcing firms and accounting outsourcing services becomes extremely critical for umbrella…