FCSA urges agencies under attack for tax avoidance to check their due diligence
A media report in The Guardian (November 15th) suggesting that temporary agencies are operating tax avoidance schemes costing taxpayers millions of pounds has prompted The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association, the UK’s largest independent trade association that is committed to setting standards for contractor accountancy providers and umbrella employers, to urge all agencies to seek legal…
14% of intermediaries fear going out of business when Apprenticeship Levy is imposed
Government plans to introduce the Apprenticeship Levy have been met with mixed response by intermediaries according to research conducted by The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA), the UK’s largest independent trade association whose members provide professional support services to some 120,000 freelancers and contractors. 14% of intermediaries believe that their businesses could be…
FCSA responds to Deliveroo couriers pursuing worker rights
As we hear that Deliveroo couriers will pursue workers rights and to unionise Julia Kermode, CEO of The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA), whose members provide accountancy and umbrella services to 120,000 freelancers and contractors said: “It is no surprise to hear that Deliveroo drivers have been spurred on by the Uber verdict to…
FCSA urges Government not to destabilise the flexible workforce as it launches inquiry into the future world of work
Whilst FCSA acknowledges that vulnerable workers in today’s gig economy must be protected by legislation, the UK’s largest independent trade body for accountancy providers and umbrella firms is concerned that the Government’s new inquiry into the future world of work will constrain agency workers and impose more burdensome red tape on genuine self-employed workers. FCSA…
FCSA comments on Uber tribunal ruling
Today we have learnt the outcome of the Uber tribunal – which concluded that Uber drivers should be classified as “workers” rather than self-employed. This means they will be entitled to certain statutory rights such as minimum wage. Uber are likely to appeal the tribunal’s decision. Commenting on the case, FCSA Chief Executive Julia Kermode…
FCSA elects new Board
The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA), the UK’s largest independent trade body whose members provide professional support services to freelancers and contractors, is delighted to announce a newly elected Board comprised of Accredited Members and Associate Members: Mark Beal-Preston, First Freelance – fully accredited member Graham Fisher, Orange Genie – fully accredited member Matt…
FCSA calls for Matthew Taylor to review how people are treated not how they are engaged
Following Matthew Taylor’s appointment by Theresa May to look at whether employment regulations need to change to keep pace with flexible working practices FCSA is urging the review to look at the employment practices of some employers. Whilst FCSA welcomes any opportunity to clarify valid working practices and stamp out unethical practices, the UK’s largest…
FCSA research shows public sector contractors will not be railroaded into becoming employees
Plans to put contractors onto the payroll in the public sector as part of HMRC’s new intermediaries legislation due to come into force in April 2017 have been met with resistance amongst agencies, end-hirers and contractors according to research representing 68,000 contractors conducted by The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA). 37% of intermediaries who…
FCSA refutes unions’ criticisms of umbrellas at TUC conference
FCSA has responded to a motion tabled at the TUC congress in Brighton earlier this week opposing umbrella companies, pointing out that the debate is peppered with a number of inaccuracies. Debating employment rights and trade union rights Congress aired its concerns about the growing number of umbrella companies in industry, noting that Treasury reforms…
FCSA welcomes Minister’s call to investigate Hermes’ treatment of self-employed workers
The Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA), the largest independent trade association representing the UK’s specialist contractor accountancy services providers, has welcomed the Business Minister Margot James’ move to ask tax inspectors to investigate alleged complaints of low pay by self-employed couriers who work for Hermes courier company. The investigation comes following reports (published by…