Freelancers who search online marketplaces for contracts may be interested to learn that Elance has just secured funding worth £10.3 million to aid its growth plans.

Contractors might want to consider acquiring renewable energy skills after it was announced that 10,000 new direct jobs could be created in tidal and wave power by 2020.

IT umbrella company contractors could be set to benefit from HP’s decision to share more contracting opportunities with smaller UK businesses.

Umbrella contractors working in HR and IT could see a growth in opportunities this year.

In case any umbrella company contractors have forgotten to file their income tax self-assessment form for the year ending April 2011, the deadline is tomorrow, January 31st!

Umbrella company contractors are more likely to find opportunities with small businesses, according to the results of a recent survey.

A lot of contractors were probably waiting with bated breath to hear the latest news from the IR35 Forum. However, they were in for a disappointment when HMRC postponed the meeting scheduled for the 18th of January, saying there was more work to be done.

HSE Passport, the firm that offers umbrella companies advice with Health and Safety legislation, is urging recruiters to make sure contractors receive health and safety training before they start a contract.

Contractors could benefit as more UK graduates decide to emigrate rather than put their degree to use in this country.

There was less demand for umbrella company contractors with IT skills last month than at any other time during 2011, according to the latest Report on Jobs from the REC.

Umbrella contractors working in the oil industry could benefit from the decision to let Rathlin Energy drill for oil in Yorkshire.

Umbrella contractors could be amongst those to benefit from the government’s decision to let the High Speed Two rail link go ahead. It is thought that HS2 could lead to the creation of as many as sixty thousand jobs.