Welcome to the IT Contractors Poll.  The subject we are looking at today is what is your preferred method of contracting:

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Disputes between contractors, clients, agencies and umbrella companies are growing in number and becoming increasingly intense, as each player in the contract food-chain tries to hold on to cash as the recession bottoms out.

According to a report in Contracting Matters, disputes between umbrella-contractors and their clients and agencies have risen four-fold on last year’s figures. And Rob Crossland, Managing Director of professional business services provider Parasol, says the effects are wide ranging. (more…)

The subject of IR35 was raised again in the Commons last month, with a Government Minister refusing to reveal how many IR35 investigations were launched over the past five years. (more…)

Contractors supplying services to public authorities will not face requests under the Freedom of Information Act, in line with demands from the business community.

Heading off the prospect of extra costs for large and small government suppliers alike, policy makers said contractors would remain outside the scope of the 2005 legislation. (more…)

Indications are that limited company contractors will be excluded from the Agency Workers Directive, whereas umbrella company contractors will be covered by the directive. This information is based on the final consultation meeting at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) in London yesterday, to which ContractorCalculator’s CEO, Dave Chaplin, was invited. (more…)

Contractors would be wise to proceed with caution as the dust has begun to settle on the Budget’s announcement that higher rate tax relief will be capped on pension contributions. Tony Harris of independent financial advisers ContractorMoney explains why. (Source: Contractor UK) (more…)