18 March 2015
The FCSA has welcomed today’s announcement by the Chancellor that it aims to continue supporting the UK’s flexible workforce by abolishing class 2 national insurance contributions as well as annual tax returns. Moreover, the trade body is pleased that it will have the opportunity to continue to consult with the Government on travel and subsistence expenses.
Julia Kermode, CEO of the Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) said: “Overall, today’s Budget was positive and on behalf of our members I am pleased that the Government is receptive to continuing our consultation with them on expenses and has not simply bulldozed ahead and legislated before the end of this Parliament. Removing the right to claim legitimate travel and subsistence expenses for all contractors, freelancers and the self-employed would have a negative impact on the flexible workforce and the UK economy as a whole. We have been working hard to communicate the wider economic value of our sector to policymakers, and the Chancellor seems to have listened by stating a desire to protect the genuinely self-employed. Last week the FCSA and a collaboration of 38 leading umbrella companies, employing some 90,000 contingent workers, met a number of MPs at the House of Commons to showcase and inform them about the benefits of umbrella employment to parliamentarians and our efforts did not fall on deaf ears.
“I am also pleased to see that the Chancellor has abolished class 2 national insurance contributions for the self-employed and has also got rid of the annual tax returns, all good practical moves to support the flexible workforce and minimise its administrative burdens.”
