Winter was long and cold across much of the country, and for many people it was an extremely challenging period with regard to work, careers and job search. The news about the economy and job market continued to be negative and cynical throughout the season. But now it’s March and spring is on it’s way so many aspects of our world seems to be lightening-up.

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Contractors who use a limited company to run their contracting business will already have experienced some of the changes resulting from the Companies Act 2006, which completely updated and modernised 150 years of company law.

The final phase comes into force on 1 October 2009, with those measures most likely to have an effect on contractors including:

• An easier incorporation process
• Changes to all the standard forms
• Increases in the Registrar of Companies’ powers
• Directors’ service addresses and company register addresses
• Changes to the rules about limited company names
• A ‘Statement of Capital’. (more…)
  

The recruitment freeze in the City is beginning to thaw with firms cautiously hiring again after the financial crisis, according to recruiters.

Momentum gained in the employment market in June has been maintained through July, once the seasonal summer slowdown is taken into account, figures released yesterday by Morgan Mckinley, a recruiter in the Square Mile, show. (more…)

Some contractors within IR35 might be able to claim employment rights from their ‘client’, following a landmark ruling this week.

An Employment Tribunal has found that contractor Andrew Tilson was an employee of Alstom Transport, despite billing on an hourly basis through his own contractor limited company and working through an agency. (more…)