National Minimum Wage – DBT names and shames over 500 employers
Written by Brabners LLP This month, over 500 employers have been named by the government for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage (NMW). Following an investigation by HMRC, it was revealed by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) that a total of 524 business had failed to pay NMW. The total amount…
Government Publishes Updated Draft Code of Practice on ‘Fire and Rehire’
Written by JMW Solicitors LLP The Government has published an updated draft Code of Practice on Dismissal and Re-engagement, more commonly known as ‘Fire and Rehire’. The Code was initially drafted by the Government back in January 2023, however, following a public consultation, some small changes have been made. What is ‘Fire and Rehire’? The…
Predicting the Outcome of the UK Budget 2024: What Contractors Can Expect
Originally Written for Contractor UK by Chris Bryce, FCSA Chief Executive It does seem that Budgets or “financial statements” come around far more often than they used to, so here I am again trying to predict the outcome of a Budget. Inevitably, we’ll all have a wish list of measures we’d like to see but,…
FCSA Apprenticeship Levy Network: Empowering Businesses and Nurturing Talent for Economic Growth
In reflection on National Apprenticeship Week, it served as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of apprenticeships in shaping our workforce and driving economic growth. A few months ago, Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA) proudly launched its Apprenticeship Levy Network, providing an opportunity for businesses to invest in skills development and talent cultivation….
Cyber risks in a world of AI
Written by David Fleming, Chief Technology Officer at Mitigo AI is a hot topic. Many businesses in the professional employment services sector are already using AI or exploring its potential to revolutionise the way they deliver their services. But it’s not all good news. Cybercriminals are also interested in the benefits of AI and…
Predictable hours for agency workers? Implications of the Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023 on the temporary labour market
Written by Brabners LLP Background The government published The Good Work Plan in 2018 and set out its intention to introduce legislation to allow all workers to have the right to request more predictable and stable terms and conditions after they had accrued 26 weeks’ service. This was expanded on in 2019 with the…
ICO Launches Consultations on Draft Guidance regarding Data Protection Practices for Employers and Recruiters
Written by JMW Solicitors LLP The Information Commissioner’s Office (‘ICO’) has launched consultations following its publication of two sets of draft guidance on data protection compliance for employers and recruiters. The guidance is aimed at assisting employers and recruiters in understanding their obligations under data protection law, specifically UK GDPR and the Data Protection…
Trade credit insurance: the challenges for recruitment companies
Written by Marsh Commercial Many employees see the New Year as time to consider a new role, so now is the time for recruiters to reap the benefits. However, recruitment agencies have faced challenges recently – such as redundancies within the sectors they service — reducing recruitment activity and insolvencies resulting in uncertainty about customer…
Fraudulent Identity Documents and Modern Slavery
Written by TrustID Modern slavery is a subject we are hearing more and more about in the UK. It can take many forms but often involves trafficking people across and within countries. In this blog, we explore the growing problem, the links with fraudulent documents, and how Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT) could help. What…
Are Training Courses an Allowable Expense?
Written by Dolan Accountancy for FCSA. One of the greatest benefits of contracting is the fact that you are able to claim back on expenses made for the running of your business – but, are training courses an allowable expense? Here, we explain the rules when it comes to claiming for training courses. But first,…