Scammers Continue To Target Contractors

It has been brought to Independent Contractor Services’ attention that there is yet another phishing email in circulation targeting thousands of people, including contractors, stating they are due a tax refund from HM Revenue and Customs.
HMRC would, once again, like to highlight that these emails are not from them and they are phishing emails. They [...]

Nurture Your Client Base To Avoid Project Gaps

Rahul Nag, a freelance business consultant recently wrote an article which featured in the PCG’s monthly Freelancing Matters publication. He offered advice on avoiding gaps between projects by simply looking after and nurturing your existing client base.
In Rahul’s seven years experience freelancing, he has a handful of clients which give him regular work and with [...]

HMRC Embraces New Technologies

In a bid to be more in tune with UK citizens, HM Revenue and Customs are increasingly using new technologies as they strive to keep us updated with changes in legislation, online filing and much more.  They have a blog which is updated regularly and also a Twitter page.
Their most recent addition is the podcast. [...]

Overseas Clients Demand Flexible Contractors

The flexible nature of contractors is what makes them a preferred choice for hundreds of companies throughout the UK. These same contractors working in a wide range of industries have been urged to continue with this flexibility when dealing with overseas clients in order to be successful.
It is important for contractors working with overseas clients [...]

HMRC Advises Contractors On Their Tax Records

HMRC today issued a new guide which is aimed to advise all individuals and businesses on a number of issues regarding tax but most importantly how long you should keep your tax and accounting records for.
They advise that all contractors and businesses to keep all your tax records for at least 6 years. If you [...]

Contractors Lose Out If Firms Choose To Outsource

The latest Labour Market Outlook survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has revealed that firms are increasingly looking to outsource jobs overseas, thus affecting those in the UK looking for permanent and contract work.
10% of all companies surveyed are looking to outsource their workload to different countries. Notably, 41% of firms [...]

PCG Launches Britain’s Brain Gain

In a bid to highlight freelancers and their contribution to the UK economy, the PCG have launched a national advertising campaign, called ‘Britain’s Brain Gain’.
There are 1.4 million talented freelancers, contractors and consultants that contribute £82 billion to our economic output. The campaign wants to highlight this significant contribution the freelance workforce makes to the [...]

Client Tactics Revealed

Creditsafe yesterday unveiled research which revealed that more than 90% of firms have had to send invoices again and again over the past year because of clients’ tactics to delay payment for a contractors work. This has also affected contractors invoicing the client directly through their own limited company.
Contractors awaiting payment for work already completed [...]

Recruitment Agencies Are Suffering

The Business Sales Report today released figures which hinted that recruitment agencies were suffering from the downturn in the economy. The number of recruitment agencies going into administration increased for the third consecutive six-month period at the end of 2009. 57 recruitment companies in the second half of the year went into administration, compared with [...]

Drawing Up Your Own Contract?

A freelance marketing consultant recently questioned on Freelance UK, whether they could draw up their own contract for a role in which they were working directly for the client with no agency involved. They also wanted to know what the contract should include.
It is not uncommon for contractors to or freelancers to draw up their [...]