Joint and Several Liability Is Here: What Recruitment Agencies Must Do Before 6 April
From 6 April 2026, the rules governing how recruitment agencies interact with umbrella companies change fundamentally. Under new umbrella company joint and several liability provisions, agencies become directly liable for unpaid PAYE and National Insurance contributions where an umbrella company in their supply chain fails to account for them correctly. Where no agency exists in…
Thrivr Joins FCSA as a New Business Partner
We’re pleased to welcome Thrivr to the FCSA Business Partner community. Built specifically for the contingent and contractor workforce, Thrivr gives umbrella companies and payroll providers a branded daily touchpoint for their workers. It integrates with existing platforms and payroll portals, and scales as the business grows. It’s a platform designed with the contractor’s experience…
The Make Work Pay Consultation Closes 1 May: The Industry Must Have Its Say
The government’s consultation on modernising the agency work regulatory framework, published by the Department for Business and Trade on 6 February 2026 under the Make Work Pay agenda, closes on 1 May 2026. What is on the table could reshape the regulatory architecture of the UK’s temporary labour market. The industry has until that date…
Unlocking Millions in Unused Apprenticeship Levy Funds for the Contractor Sector
The FCSA Levy Network connects large employers with unspent Apprenticeship Levy funds to accredited SMEs in the contractor sector. Learn how it works.
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….
Statutory Sick Pay Reforms: What Changes in April 2026
The Employment Rights Act 2025, which received Royal Assent in December, introduces significant reforms to Statutory Sick Pay from 6th April 2026. These represent the most substantial changes to SSP since the system was revised in 1985, and employers across the supply chain need to understand the implications. Three Key Changes The Lower Earnings Limit…