
The Genesis of Umbrella Companies
Umbrella companies have become a staple in the modern gig economy, offering a convenient employment solution for contractors and freelancers. However, the origin of umbrella
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Umbrella companies have become a staple in the modern gig economy, offering a convenient employment solution for contractors and freelancers. However, the origin of umbrella
Written by Brabners LLP The Law Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (“ROA”), job applicants are not required to disclose “spent” convictions, although
Written by JMW Solicitors LLP Following two consultations which took place earlier this year into holiday entitlement and pay calculations, the Government has now
If you’re an employer in England, you’re no stranger to the Apprenticeship Levy. It’s a well-intentioned scheme aimed at bridging the skills gap, allowing employees
By Chris Bryce, Chief Executive, FCSA Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s second Autumn Statement has made waves, primarily for its headline act: a reduction in Employee’s National
FCSA refutes inaccurate claims and calls for apology from Contractor Voice.
Chris Bryce – Chief Executive of FCSA Several new technologies, such as AI and machine learning, are emerging that have the potential to enhance the
Written by Brabners LLP On Wednesday 4 October 2023, the Supreme Court handed down its unanimous judgment in the case of Police Service of
Written by JMW Solicitors LLP The policy paper known as the ‘Good Work Plan’, published on 17th December 2018, addressed the Government’s strategies towards the
By Chris Bryce, Chief Executive of FCSA As the CEO of FCSA (Freelancer & Contractor Services Association), I’ve witnessed the evolution of the umbrella company
Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) is pleased to announce that Cool Company Freelance UK has been accredited as a new member and has passed
In 2021, the Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA) made a significant decision to remove the joint employment model from its Accreditation Codes. This move
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts your data and demands a ransom payment to decrypt it. Ransomware attacks can be devastating for businesses,
Tax and employment laws are two of the UK’s most complex areas of law. Both areas constantly change, making it difficult for contractors to keep
Guest blog written by The Danbro Group ‘Expenses’ should not be a source of confusion for Umbrella Company contractors. You’re entitled to claim ‘chargeable’ expenses
In a remarkable display of industry support and dedication to the future of apprenticeships and compliance, the FCSA Levy Network has achieved an incredible milestone.
Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA) is excited to unveil a game-changing initiative that’s set to make a significant impact on access to apprenticeships in
Our accreditation program is like a rising tide: it lifts all boats. By setting the industry standard in our Code and Charter, which we expect
The Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) is excited to announce a new partnership with iSIPP, a leading self-invested personal pension (SIPP) provider with over
Written by JMW Solicitors LLP Background: The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill previously proposed new obligations on employers to prevent sexual
Written by Brabners LLP The recent Employment Tribunal case of Mrs M Lynskey v Direct Line Insurance [2023] highlights the difficulties an employer can face
If you’re a contractor, you may wonder if an umbrella company suits you. Umbrella companies can offer several benefits, including: Compliance: By working with an
Guest Blog by Contractor Umbrella What happens if my umbrella company goes bust? – a scenario no one wants to have to think about, but
National Payroll Week is a week-long celebration of the important work that payroll professionals do. This year, National Payroll Week took place from September 4-8,
The duty to make reasonable adjustments is aimed at levelling the playing field by ensuring that disabled persons are not placed at a substantial disadvantage
The House of Commons released a research briefing on 11 August 2023 on Artificial Intelligence and Employment Law, which delved into the benefits and issues
As an agency, you know that your contractors are the lifeblood of your business. They are the ones who deliver the work, and their satisfaction
Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) is dedicated to elevating standards and ensuring compliance within the professional employment services industry. Collaborating with other organisations enables
Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) welcomes i4 Pay Partners as a newly accredited member. i4 Pay is an umbrella company that was acquired
Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA) is a non-profit organisation that is dedicated to setting and raising standards for the temporary workforce. FCSA’s non-profit status
Chris Bryce – Chief Executive, FCSA The Two Payment Method is a tax avoidance scheme some rogue umbrella companies use; it is a form of
Written by FCSA member, Liquid Friday Rising resourcing costs. Talent shortages. Diminishing candidate pools. These are the challenges recruitment businesses are facing to fill roles
This article was written by Graham Williams at NWM, FCSA Accredited Member. Our team here at NWM speak to recruiters daily, and two pressing subjects
The Agency Worker Regulations 2010 (AWR) are designed to protect the rights of agency workers. They ensure that agency workers are entitled to the same
Continuity of employment is a term used to describe the length of time a person has been employed by the same employer. Its importance is
We are pleased to announce that Your Sprightly, a top provider of Umbrella services for contractors and freelancers, has achieved FCSA Accreditation. This accreditation is
The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill has officially received Royal Assent and will now be officially enshrined in the statute books. This is a big
Businesses working in professional services rely on their reputation and hold lots of confidential and valuable information belonging to their clients and the projects they work on. This combination makes them the ideal target for cybercriminals who once inside a firm’s IT systems will use a number of different tactics to hold a firm to ransom.
Written by Brabners LLP The issue of “dual” or “joint” employment under UK law is problematic. Although joint employment is a recognised concept in
Written by JMW Solicitors LLP On Thursday 13 July 2023, the High Court quashed regulations which allowed for workers on strike to be replaced by
Freelancer and Contractor Services Association has re-committed to its partnership with ASPCo UK (The Association of Professional Staffing Companies). “We are pleased to announce that
I recently had the pleasure of hosting the inaugural FCSA Forum, which took place on Tuesday the 11th of July in Manchester. It was a
Written by Brabners LLP Background On 10 May 2023, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) published a policy paper, ‘Smarter regulation to grow the
Written by JMW Solicitors LLP On 6th June 2023 the Government announced its intention to publish a consultation on policy options aimed at regulating umbrella
The Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) today announced that it has welcomed Freelancer Financials as a Business Partner.
Employment Update: The Government’s Proposals… On 10 May 2023 the UK Government (‘Government’) announced its intention, namely through its policy paper “Smarter regulation to
Freelancer and Contractor Services Association aims to promote compliance and give contractors a voice in the industry.
FCSA has received the final determination of the FCSA’s Independent Arbitration Panel (IAP), regarding the membership status of Orange Genie
HMRC has again updated their ‘named tax avoidance schemes, promoters, enablers and suppliers’ list. All five of the latest batch, are businesses based in the
Written by Dan Stowers, Partner and Head of Business Crime and Compliance, Brabners LLP On 11 April 2023 a new offence of ‘failing to
Written by Brabners LLP In the recent case of Red White and Green Limited v The Commissioners for HMRC [2023], the Upper Tribunal concluded that
Written by JMW Solicitors LLP As technology continues to evolve, social media has become an increasingly prevalent feature within the workplace. Platforms such as
Written by JMW solicitors LLP The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, delivered his first budget on Wednesday 15thMarch. A number of changes to the
Written by Brabners LLP The Supreme Court’s landmark decision in the Uber case reinforced the idea that the contract is not always king when determining
Written by JMW Solicitors LLP A recent study by beqom (‘Study’) has indicated that employees based in the United Kingdom (UK) are becoming increasingly concerned
HMRC shared another company yesterday (2nd March 2023), on their ‘named tax avoidance schemes, promoters, enablers and suppliers’ list. Hive Umbrella Ltd (HUL) were caught
HMRC shared another two companies yesterday (23rd February 2023), on their ‘named tax avoidance schemes, promoters, enablers and suppliers’ list. The companies named were:
Written by JMW Solicitors LLP There can be little doubt that the introduction of auto-enrolment in 2012 has been a success, with workplace pension participation
Written by JMW Solicitors LLP The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill has recently passed its second reading in the House of Commons. The Government
Written by Brabners LLP On 29 March 2022, in the wake of P&O Ferries’ dismissal of around 800 employees without consultation, the government announced
Written by JMW LLP Flexible working has been a hot topic ever since the pandemic hit in March 2020, and a large proportion of the
Written by Brabners LLP Holiday pay remains a hot topic. In July, the Supreme Court handed down its judgment in the case of Harpur Trust
Written by Brabners LLP What has happened? On 29 November 2022, in advance of further strikes proposed by Royal Mail staff, the Chief People
Bishopsgate Employment Services Limited has been revealed as the latest company to be accepted into the Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA), providing umbrella PAYE
Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) has now finalised its investigation into allegations that Liquid Friday had made deductions for “business overheads” from its
Written by Brabners LLP In the case of Bathgate v Technip UK Ltd (2022), the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has held that unknown future
Blog post written by JMW Solicitors LLP Fertility in the workplace has attracted headlines in recent months, highlighting issues faced by individuals and couples undergoing
Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) has today been made aware of claims that multiple FCSA members have been suspended or expelled in the
Following the receipt of the Independent Arbitration Panel’s decision regarding Orange Genie’s appeal against termination of their membership by FCSA, we today confirm that Orange
We issued a termination notice to the member for the breach and have now heard their appeal. It is FCSA policy to name the
Written by Brabners LLP Virgin Atlantic has introduced a gender-neutral dress policy for its cabin crew, pilots, and ground staff in a new branding
Post written by JMW Solictors LLP Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, it has been anticipated that lawmakers will attempt to move
In common with many commentators and the global markets, the Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) had anticipated today’s U-turn regarding the cancellation of
Stonebridge Payment Solutions Ltd has been revealed as the latest company to be accepted into the Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA). Stonebridge provide a
The Chancellor’s not-so-mini financial statement last Friday brought some welcome news to many but not all
Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) has today issued a further warning and an update about the fraudulent activity of cloning real companies and
HMRC shared another three companies last week (18th August), on their ‘named tax avoidance schemes, promoters, enablers and suppliers’ list. The companies named were:
Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) has announced the formation of a new panel of independent industry figures to act as the final arbiter in any disputes concerning FCSA members.
HMRC shared another four companies yesterday (4 August 2022), on their ‘named tax avoidance schemes, promoters, enablers and suppliers’ list. The companies named were:
Government Efficiency Minister, Jacob Rees-Mogg, today launched a new anti-fraud team, with the primary focus of catching fraud committed against the public purse, with
New government guidance will act as a one-stop-shop for individuals and businesses to understand which employment rights apply to them
Following the various news items and social media posts about recent updates to the FCSA Codes, many of which mischaracterise events or draw incorrect conclusions,
It is for that reason that we have stringent conditions that must be met by businesses aspiring towards FCSA membership and require all of our accredited members to adhere to our Codes of Compliance.
Written by Simon Bloch, JMW Solicitors LLP On 9th May 2022, the government proposed to introduce legislation in relation to exclusivity clauses within
FCSA is disappointed to see that government has not included an Employment Bill within the Queen’s speech
Written by Laura Darnley, Brabners LLP A number of important changes affecting how employers undertake right to work checks have come into force with effect
HMRC names and shames avoidance scheme operators for the very first time
PARTNERSHIP BOLSTERS CYBER SECURITY PROTECTION FOR FCSA MEMBERS The Freelance & Contractor Services Association is delighted to announce details of its new strategic partnership with
Written by Brabners LLP Key Information Documents It has been almost 2 years since the requirement to produce Key Information Documents (KIDs) was introduced on
Read FCSA’s analysis of the NAO report on the 2017 reforms The National Audit Office has released its report on the 2017 reforms to off-payroll
The Court of Appeal has ruled on the long-running Smith vs Pimlico Plumbers case and overturned the decisions in lower courts to force Pimlico Plumbers to compensate Smith for previously unpaid annual leave.
Written by Brabners LLP Fear of Catching Covid-19 is not a Protected Belief according to Employment Tribunal As cases relating to COVID-19 begin to
Whilst there are current attacks underway, there is, naturally, a focus on resolving what are major system outages as soon as possible and striving to minimise the impact on employees expecting payments or having queries go unanswered. In our view it is crucial that workers are kept informed of progress.
The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA) has appointed a new CEO
The FCSA was delighted to be invited by the House Of Lords Finance Sub Committee to present evidence on the effect on the outsourced worker sector of recently introduced IR35 reforms in the private sector and specifically the effectiveness of the HMRC CEST tool
Government launches call for evidence on umbrella market.
FCSA says it is delighted to see that Margaret Beels has been appointed to the role of Director of Labour Market Enforcement.
Investment in key sectors is welcomed, but no detail about government support to provide the labour required to realise such ambitious plans.
On 21 October 2021, the All-Party Parliamentary Loan Charge & Taxpayer Fairness Group wrote the following letter to the FCSA in respect of the change
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