The European Union has proposed a new set of guidelines for labour reform in the member states but the ARC is concerned that the EU agency workers’ guidelines depict contractors and freelancers in a negative light.

Small businesses in the UK are spending too much time complying with red tape and government bureaucracy, according to a new report by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Small businesses, umbrella companies and limited company IT contractors will be in a state of ‘limbo’ until the emergency Budget is delivered on 22nd June.

The REC is understandably delighted that George Osborne has reversed part of the plan to increase NICs. They had opposed the move, as had all business bodies, as the potential cost would have prevented the jobs market recovering fully from the recession.

On Monday the Treasury released its plans to save £6.2 billion from the public sector budget. One of the planned measures is to cut £95 million from IT spending, which could affect those working through umbrella companies.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation has called on the new coalition to prioritise tax reform. They have written to George Osborne, the new chancellor, highlighted the need to simplify the current tax regime.

According to a recent manifesto published by the IT trade association Intellect, a fundamental overhaul of the UK tax incentive system could create as many as 250,000 jobs for IT contractors.

Recruiters and umbrella companies are drowning in employment red tape and bureaucracy after 13 years under a Labour government.

Contractors and freelancers with their own limited company, as well as interim workers who use the services of an umbrella company could soon discover exactly where they sit under the Agency Workers Directive.

Contractors who work in science and engineering could find themselves in greater demand according to a report published recently by the CBI.

The REC is urging the new coalition government not to make any drastic cuts from the public sector budget.

Andrew Lansley, the new Health Secretary, has announced that family doctors rather than locums will be responsible for out-of-hours care.