Job losses at Hewlett Packard have been condemned by Unite union who are predicting many more job losses within this financial year. Hewlett Packard has axed 934 positions from its workforce which stands at more than 16500. Approximately 2000 contractors and temporary positions have been saved which the union finds insulting when experienced permanent staff are being lost.
Business News
Umbrella company contractors have the chance to speak out about IR35
Posted on 8th July 2010 by KarlUmbrella company contractors will now have the chance to air their views on the notorious IR35 legislation on a website launched by Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister.
New opportunities for IT contractors in retail banking
Posted on 7th July 2010 by LouiseIT contractors could be facing new opportunities as retail banking looks set to invest in major improvements to IT systems and branches. Whilst investment banks appear to be looking to recruit permanent staff, the overhaul of retail banking will be a time limited venture that will require the flexibility of freelancers and contractors.
Public sector proposals will affect IT contractors
Posted on 6th July 2010 by JasonMany IT contractors are not happy with the emergency budget proposals which include a huge crackdown on the public sector. It is believed that main IT contractors may decide to look elsewhere for work if the public sector doesn’t provide opportunities.
VAT fraudster jailed for 34 months
Posted on 5th July 2010 by LouiseTasejad Hussain Jeffrey, who bought the title ‘Lord of Knightsbridge’ in 2006, has been convicted of £778,000 in VAT fraud after being declared dead by his brother in an attempt to distract investigators.
Is this the end for IR35?
Posted on 2nd July 2010 by JasonMany professionals are of the opinion that IR35 legislation will be abolished by David Cameron. After ten years of struggling with this law, most contractors who fall within IR35 legislation are pleased to hear that the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government has agreed to review the controversial rules.
Could VAT increase be good news for contractors?
Posted on 1st July 2010 by KarlThe coalition government has announced a rise in VAT from 4 January 2011 to help in the battle to reduce the public deficit. This is just one of the many changes announced in the emergency Budget, which proved to be a mixed bag with good news for some and bad news for others. The increase on VAT from 17.5 percent to 20 percent could be considered a hasty move that could put many jobs at risk.
IR35 rules to stay a while longer
Posted on 28th June 2010 by LouiseThe Conservative and Liberal Democrat Coalition government pledged to review IR35 legislation and according to the government it is still on the agenda to be reviewed. However, with the public deficit requiring more urgent attention, the review of IR35 legislation will probably have to be dealt with by the Office of Tax Simplification.
NIC holidays incentive for new business
Posted on 25th June 2010 by JasonThe Government has announced a new scheme to start in September 2010, which will benefit new businesses in certain areas of the United Kingdom. New businesses that are set up from 22 June 2010 and meet criteria to be announced at a later date will benefit from a scheme that provides a NICs holiday.
Public sector employees facing unemployment
Posted on 24th June 2010 by LouiseThe Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has forecast a further loss of approximately 50,000 jobs from the public sector before the first quarter of 2011. This could have a huge effect on contractors and freelancers who have most of their contracts with the public sector. This prediction backs up research by the Office for National Statistics, which showed that 7000 jobs in the public sector were lost in the first quarter of 2010. Interestingly, employment in the private sector increased with 12,000 positions filled in the same period.
