ACAS Conciliation period is doubling from six to twelve weeks
If a worker wishes to bring a claim against their employer, umbrella company, agency or end client, then they are legally required to contact ACAS – the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service – before submitting a claim in the Employment Tribunal. ACAS is an independent public body that provides free advice and guidance on employment…
Fair Work Agency’s Chair Appointed
Matthew Taylor, a former policy chief for Tony Blair and Theresa May’s governments, has been appointed as the Chair of the newly created Fair Work Agency (“FWA”). What is the Fair Work Agency? The Fair Work Agency is a new UK Government body set to come into force in April 2026, which will be tasked…
Important Notice: Beware of Phishing Scams Using Fake FCSA Websites
Our IT and Cyber Security team has identified that bad actors have attempted to replicate the FCSA website and use it for phishing purposes. These fraudulent sites are designed to look like FCSA but are not operated by us. Their aim is to trick users into entering personal or business information. To protect yourself and…
Fire and Rehire Reformed: Last minute amendments to the Employment Rights Bill and what this means for Recruiters and Employers
Introduction As industry professionals are no doubt aware, the Employment Rights Bill (the ‘Bill’) is set to shake-up the legal landscape for recruiters and employers. The good news is that the wait is nearly over, with the Bill now in its final stages following the House of Commons vote on Monday. While the most amendments…
Agency fees under the Spotlight
Facts of the case: Talent Systems Europe Ltd (trading as Spotlight) operates an online directory through which performers, such as actors and musicians, can pay to upload and maintain their profiles for casting directors to view. Spotlight describes itself as a “Software as a Service” (SaaS) business, offering a digital platform that enables actors and…
Understanding market volatility and pension savings
What does market volatility mean for pension savings? And why is it important that savers stay focused on the long term? Market ups and downs can feel unsettling for savers, especially when you see headlines about market volatility or drops in value, but it’s important to remember that pensions are designed for the long-term. Markets…
Atom Joins FCSA as an Accredited Member
Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA) is pleased to announce that Atom has been officially accredited as a member. FCSA accreditation is recognised across the industry as the gold standard for compliance and professionalism in the temporary labour market. Atom’s successful completion of FCSA’s rigorous assessment process demonstrates its commitment to operating to the highest…
FCSA Publishes Full Report on Draft Finance Bill 2025
Team FCSA is pleased to announce the publication of our full report on the draft Finance Bill 2025, produced in collaboration with Brabners LLP, BDO LLP, and employment status expert Rebecca Seeley Harris. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the draft legislation published on 21 July 2025, with a focus on its impact across…
Andy Chamberlain joins FCSA
Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA) is delighted to announce that Andy Chamberlain has joined the FCSA team in the role of Head of Strategic Policy and Advocacy. Andy joins FCSA from our friends at IPSE, where he served as Director of Policy. During his time at IPSE, he became one of the most recognisable…
Shifting PAYE payments to Recruiters: A Dangerous Distraction, Not a Solution
The Global Recruiter recently ran an article, “No Audit Trail, No Protection,” which argues for recruitment agencies to take responsibility for remitting PAYE liabilities to HMRC when umbrella companies employ workers and for them to use the umbrella company’s ERN. On the surface, this might seem like a neat fix. In reality, it is impractical,…