FCSA

HMRC's powers over the Construction Industry Scheme are changing significantly from 6 April. Under the Finance Bill 2026, HMRC can remove Gross Payment Status with immediate effect where a business is found to be connected to fraudulent CIS activity (Finance Bill 2026; Rouse Partners). The reapplication ban extends to five years (currently one year). Financial penalties can reach 30% of the full tax loss. And nil returns are reinstated: monthly submissions required even when no subcontractor payments have been made. The "should have known" standard in the legislation is the key phrase. Ignorance of a subcontractor's GPS status isn't a defence. It's evidence of inadequate due diligence. For construction firms and CIS contractors, the time to act is before 6 April. GPS verification, documented supplier checks, a proper audit trail: these are the things that matter when HMRC investigates. #FCSA #CIS #ConstructionIndustryScheme #HMRC #Compliance #Contractors

Congratulations SG Umbrella & SG Contractor Accounting on passing your annual compliance review. You can find out more about SG Umbrella & SG Contractor Accounting here: fcsa.org.uk/fcsa-member/sg… You can find out more about FCSA-accredited membership here: fcsa.org.uk/accredited-mem…

For the first time in the UK, holiday pay enforcement is a matter for the state. The Fair Work Agency launches around 6-7 April 2026, merging the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and HMRC's National Minimum Wage enforcement into a single body (Employment Rights Act 2025). One of its most significant powers: it can pursue holiday pay underpayments without waiting for a worker to complain. The look-back window is six years. Penalties can reach 200% of any underpaid amount. It can investigate on its own initiative. For umbrella companies and agencies with complex pay arrangements across multiple clients and assignments, even small calculation errors can accumulate quickly. #FCSA #FairWorkAgency #HolidayPay #Compliance #EmploymentLaw #UmbrellaCompanies

The Make Work Pay consultation closes 1 May 2026. The industry needs to respond. The government's proposals (published by the Department for Business and Trade on 6 February) cover four areas: Security, Transparency, Choice, and Modernisation. The headline changes would bring umbrella companies formally within the Conduct Regulations, restrict kickbacks between umbrellas and agencies, and prevent workers being directed into umbrella arrangements without genuine choice. We broadly support the direction of travel. A level playing field that makes it harder for non-compliant operators to undercut responsible ones is something we've advocated for years. But regulation designed to address bad actors must not constrain the good ones. One-size-fits-all rules risk exactly that. Individual responses from umbrella companies, agencies, and advisers carry real weight. If you operate in this market, your experience matters. The deadline is 1 May. #FCSA #MakeWorkPay #UmbrellaCompanies #Compliance #EmploymentLaw #Contractors

Less than two weeks to go. From 6 April, the Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces some of the most significant changes to worker entitlements in years. SSP is payable from day one of any qualifying illness (no more three-day wait). Paternity leave and unpaid parental leave both become day-one rights under SI 2026/15. The maximum protective award for collective redundancy failures doubles from 90 to 180 days' pay per employee. These won't be distant planning items any more. Our members know the drill: payroll systems updated, worker contracts reviewed, documentation in order. For anyone in the supply chain who hasn't yet acted, the time really is now. Is your organisation ready for 6 April? #FCSA #EmploymentLaw #Compliance #UmbrellaCompanies #Contractors #IR35

We're pleased to welcome Thrivr to the FCSA Business Partner community. Built specifically for the contingent and contractor workforce, Thrivr gives umbrella companies and payroll providers a branded daily touchpoint for their workers, integrating with existing platforms and payroll portals to deliver genuine benefits and lifestyle perks. As our Chief Executive Chris Bryce put it: "Thrivr understands the contractor workforce from the inside out." FCSA accreditation sets the compliance standard. Partnerships like this one extend what that standard means in practice, helping our Members offer contractors real value beyond the payroll. We're looking forward to seeing what this brings to the sector. Read more: fcsa.org.uk/thrivr-joins-f… #FCSA #BusinessPartner #Contractors #UmbrellaCompanies #FlexibleWork #ContractorBenefits

The Fair Work Agency Advisory Board has been confirmed, with nine appointments announced ahead of the agency's launch on 7th April 2026. The board brings together independent experts, employer representatives, and trade union voices: Patricia Findlay, Gavin Kelly, Dora-Olivia Vicol, Neil Carberry, Mustafa Faruqi, Joanne Young, Mike Clancy, Diana Holland, and Dave Ward. Working alongside Chair Matthew Taylor and CEO Lisa Pinney, they will advise ministers on strategy and direction as the FWA takes shape. For those operating in the contingent labour sector, this is worth paying attention to. The FWA consolidates four existing bodies into a single enforcement agency: the Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, the Director of Labour Market Enforcement, and HMRC's National Minimum Wage Unit. That means less fragmentation, more coordination, and a clearer line of accountability across the supply chain. Congratulations to all nine appointees. We look forward to seeing how the Fair Work Agency develops, and what it means for workers, businesses, and compliance standards across the sector. #FairWorkAgency #ContingentLabour #EmploymentRights #SupplyChainCompliance #FCSA #UmbrellaCompany

🚨 Update on HMRC's List of Tax Avoiders and Promoters We want to keep you in the loop – Invictapay Ltd has been added to HMRC's list of tax avoiders and promoters. Staying informed is key to tax compliance. View the details on our website: fcsa.org.uk/hmrc-tax-avoid… #TaxCompliance #HMRCUpdate

Most people don't realise that millions in Apprenticeship Levy funds go unspent every year, expiring after just 24 months. Large employers pay into the levy but often can't use it all. Meanwhile, smaller businesses in the contractor sector are missing out on training they genuinely need. That's why we've launched the FCSA Levy Network, a platform that connects levy-paying employers with smaller businesses looking to access training funds. Since launch, £4.3 million in levy funds have already been pledged by donors. You don't need to be an FCSA member to benefit. The network is open to any eligible business. If your organisation pays into the levy and has funds sitting unused, or if you're a smaller business that could benefit from funded training, this is worth a look. Full details here: fcsa.org.uk/unlocking-mill… #FCSA #ApprenticeshipLevy #Contractors #UmbrellaCompanies #Compliance #Training

🚨 Update on HMRC's List of Tax Avoiders and Promoters We want to keep you in the loop – Finsgate Contracting Limited have been added to HMRC's list of tax avoiders and promoters. 🔑 Staying informed is key to tax compliance. View the details on our website: fcsa.org.uk/hmrc-tax-avoid… #TaxCompliance #HMRCUpdate

Congratulations JMK on passing your annual compliance review. You can find out more about JMK here: fcsa.org.uk/fcsa-member/jm… You can find out more about FCSA-accredited membership here: fcsa.org.uk/accredited-mem…

FCSA Chief Executive Chris Bryce will be taking to the stage at this year's Recruitment Agency Expo in London. His session "Navigating What Comes Next: Practical Risk-Mitigation for the Changing Contingent Labour Market" runs on Tuesday 17th March at 16:15. With significant regulatory shifts ahead for recruitment agencies, umbrellas, and the wider supply chain, Chris will cut through the noise and deliver a practical, jargon-free breakdown of what's coming and what you can do about it now. Register for free entry and join us on the day. l.feathr.co/Recruitment-Ag… #RecruitmentAgencyExpo #FCSA #Compliance #ContingentLabour #RecruitmentIndustry #SupplyChainCompliance

The Finance Bill 2025-26 Report Stage is now available, and the amendments relating to the umbrella company joint and several liability provisions have been consolidated into a single document, "Amendment 14 to Clause 24: Umbrella companies." You can read the full document here: gov.uk/government/pub… We'll continue to monitor developments as the Bill progresses. #UmbrellaReforms #Contractors #FCSA #Compliance

International Women's Day is this Sunday, and we're marking it by celebrating Deb Murphy, FCSA's Head of Operations, who's been recognised on the 2026 Women in Trade Associations Powerlist. The work she puts in doesn't always make the headlines. This time it should. Thank you Deb! Look out for the next Women's Empowerment session, coming in Q3. #InternationalWomensDay #WiTApowerlist #FCSA

Congratulations We Contract on passing your annual compliance review. You can find out more about We Contract here: fcsa.org.uk/fcsa-member/we… You can find out more about FCSA-accredited membership here: fcsa.org.uk/accredited-mem…

Congratulations Payments Pro on passing your annual compliance review. You can find out more about Payments Pro here: fcsa.org.uk/fcsa-member/pa… You can find out more about FCSA-accredited membership here: fcsa.org.uk/accredited-mem…

Congratulations New Red Planet on passing your annual compliance review. You can find out more about New Red Planet here: fcsa.org.uk/fcsa-member/ne… You can find out more about FCSA-accredited membership here: fcsa.org.uk/accredited-mem…

FCSA Business Partner IMS Decimal partners with UK umbrella and recruitment businesses to deliver finance operations that stand up to scrutiny, every payroll run, every report, every audit cycle.

🚨 Update on HMRC's List of Tax Avoiders and Promoters We want to keep you in the loop – Outsource Limited has been added to HMRC's list of tax avoiders and promoters. 🔑 Staying informed is key to tax compliance. View the details on our website: fcsa.org.uk/hmrc-tax-avoid… #TaxCompliance #HMRCUpdate

Congratulations Bishopsgate on passing your annual compliance review. You can find out more about Bishopsgate here: fcsa.org.uk/fcsa-member/bi… You can find out more about FCSA-accredited membership here: fcsa.org.uk/accredited-mem…