Legislation

Recommendations for better integration to support refugees into work

The current integration of refugees system is “broken, expensive, inefficient and damaging” for both refugees and the UK, according to the chair of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees.

26 March 2024

IPS faces £900k penalty for failing to co-operate with HMRC

A tax avoidance promoter whose schemes were used by locum doctors and nurses faces a £900k penalty for failing to co-operate with HM Revenue & Customs, the tax authority announced today [22 March 2024].

Loan Charge campaigners ‘frustrated’ as HMRC ‘airbrushes’ history

The Loan Charge Action Group (LCAG) has reinforced its calls for a parliamentary inquiry as the loan charge continues to weigh heavily on Westminster.

19 March 2024

£60m funding as Sunak goes big on apprenticeships

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has unveiled a raft of reforms aimed at increasing apprenticeship numbers and doing away with red tape for small businesses.

Retail, IT/Telecoms 19 March 2024

Guide launched to prevent hiring fraud to combat epidemic levels

A guide to preventing hiring fraud has been launched today [13 March] as the UK encounters “epidemic levels” of increasingly more organised and sophisticated fraud committed during the hiring process.

IT/Telecoms, HR 13 March 2024

Spring Budget: Lukewarm response from recruitment industry

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Budget has received a lukewarm response from recruitment bodies and others with interests in the sector.

7 March 2024

Recruiters and employers want changes to help hiring in Budget

Councils in England will be told to cut spending on consultants and diversity schemes when Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivers his Spring Budget on Wednesday, the BBC reports.

5 March 2024

Warning over new tax avoidance scheme exposed by HMRC

A complex tax avoidance scheme that moves income offshore has been exposed by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) last Thursday [29 February 2024], with anyone who has joined the arrangement warned to get out of it as soon as possible.

5 March 2024

Loan Charge crisis rumbles on with uncovering of new notices

The Loan Charge scandal has been engulfed by further condemnation, with the uncovering of the highly controversial s.684 notices yesterday by Sky News [20 February 2024] as politicians round on the crisis and call for a full investigation on the matter.

21 February 2024

14 recruitment companies make HMRC shame list

Staffline and Randstad Solutions are among the recruitment businesses named yesterday [20 February] by HMRC for failing to pay workers the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

21 February 2024

APPG launches to highlight flexible family-friendly working

A Flexible and Family-Friendly Working All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) was launched in the House of Commons yesterday [6 February 2024].

7 February 2024

Calls for reform of Apprenticeship Levy in National Apprentice Week

Numerous big names in British business and academia are highlighting new opportunities in their organisations for apprentices during the UK’s National Apprentice Week, as calls continue for government reform of the Apprenticeship Levy.

Loan Charge debate gets muted response from government

An impassioned debate last Thursday [18 January 2024] about the Loan Charge and Tax Fairness in the House of Commons led to little reaction from the finance secretary to the Treasury, Nigel Huddleston.

23 January 2024

MPs to debate Loan Charge in House of Commons

The House of Commons will hold a debate on Thursday [18 January 2024] on the Loan Charge.

16 January 2024

US Dept of Labor issues final rule on contractors

In a move that will evoke interest from UK contractors and employers, the US Department of Labor (DOL) has announced a final rule on whether a worker may be considered an independent contractor.

9 January 2024

Fragomen report reveals restrictive immigration policies are easing

Fragomen, the world’s leading provider of immigration services, has released its 2024 Worldwide Immigration Trends Report today.

9 January 2024

ICO fines businesses more than £14.3m for misusing data

In 2023, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) ordered 18 businesses to pay more than £14.3m in fines for misusing data, according to analysis by a cyber security and data protection consultancy.

New migrant salary thresholds: necessary hardline or financial own goal for UK government?

Newly-proposed government changes to work immigration rules will cause significant difficulties for recruiters and employers, immigration lawyers have warned.

Social care, Legal 11 December 2023

Government guidance on engaging umbrella firms ‘basic at best’

The government has published guidance described by one commentator as “basic at best” for recruitment agencies, outlining responsibilities that employment businesses have when engaging umbrella companies.

Accounting/Finance 1 December 2023

Leicestershire care provider given slavery order from GLAA

The owner of a Leicestershire-based home care service provider has been handed a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO).

Public sector, Social care 29 November 2023

Recruiters and businesses await the chancellor’s Autumn Statement

The Autumn Statement later today will have financial implications for recruiters and businesses alike.

Retail, Social care 22 November 2023

Back to Work Plan aims to help people get off benefits, stay healthy and into work

The government has announced a new Back to Work Plan to help up to 1.1m people with long-term health conditions, disabilities or long-term unemployment to look for and stay in work.

Public sector, Healthcare/Medical 17 November 2023

GLAA suspends its brief on treatment of holiday pay

The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) is suspending a new brief setting out a contentious position on the treatment of holiday pay and how to comply with their Licensing Standards.

13 November 2023

REC disputes new holiday pay guidance from the GLAA

The Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) has issued a new brief setting out their position on the treatment of holiday pay and how to comply with their Licensing Standards.

REC ‘disappointed’ on new consultation on using agency workers in strikes

The Recruitment & Employment Confederation has expressed “disappointment” at the government’s announcement of a consultation on removing the prohibition on use of agency workers in strikes.

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