ContractorUK

My client treats me like an employee. My accountant treats me like a business. HMRC treats me like a suspect. That’s the reality for many UK contractors. You’re expected to operate as all three — at the same time. And when that breaks down? You carry the risk. Some say IR35 isn’t the real issue anymore. It’s the confusion around what a contractor actually is. Lottie Hutchins explores the identity crisis at the heart of modern contracting — and why it affects everything from pricing to mental health. 🔗 contractoruk.com/news/my-client…

National Minimum Wage rises. But someone still pays for it. For umbrella companies, the pressure doesn’t stop at the headline rate — it builds across margins, pay structures, and flexibility. Meredith McCammond of LITRG examines why April’s increase could create a “perfect storm” — and what contractors should watch. 🔗 contractoruk.com/news/national-…

Joint & Several Liability is meant to protect contractors. But some say it’s already forcing them to change umbrella company. Preferred Supplier Lists are being closed down. Contractors are being pushed to switch payroll provider. And mid-assignment moves could lead to messy tax codes. Lucy Smith, founder of Clarity Umbrella, examines what’s happening across the contractor market as the JSL rules approach. 🔗 contractoruk.com/news/contracto…

IR35 often dominates the conversation around contracting. But another force is quietly reshaping the market — offshoring. Matt Collingwood, founder of VIQU IT, examines the scale of the shift, why companies move IT work overseas, what it means for UK IT contractors — and what ministers could do to support domestic tech jobs. 🔗 contractoruk.com/news/offshorin…

Dividends in 2026/27. With dividend tax rising again from April, limited company contractors may need to revisit how they extract profit from their company. Lauren Monks, Operations Director at Dolan Accountancy, explains how dividends fit into structuring contractor pay for the 2026/27 tax year. 🔗 contractoruk.com/news/dividends…

Entries for the Contracting Awards 2026 are now open. The UK contractor industry’s biggest awards night returns this September — with new categories recognising AI and compliance. For the first time, the awards will include “Excellence in AI & Automation for Contractors.” A second new accolade — “Excellence in Compliance and Risk Management” — will also debut. Entries close May 8th 2026, with winners to be revealed on September 30th in London. More on the new categories and how to enter: contractoruk.com/news/contracti…

Working overseas doesn’t automatically mean leaving the UK tax system. The UK’s Statutory Residence Test contains several traps that can unexpectedly trigger UK tax residency. Kevin Austin, Managing Director of Access Financial, outlines four pitfalls contractors should understand before heading abroad. 🔗 contractoruk.com/overseas-guide…

IT contractor demand is moving nearer to growth. Demand for temporary technology skills moved closer to growth in February 2026, according to the REC. The index rose to 47.6, its highest reading since May 2025. Recruiters say companies are hiring again — but carefully — in what they describe as a “thinking hiring market.” 🔗 contractoruk.com/news/stable-it…

The McCann Review. Ministers said it would help bring the Loan Charge scandal to a close. But for many contractors, the end may still be nowhere in sight. Steve Packham of the Loan Charge Action Group examines why thousands of cases could remain unresolved. 🔗 contractoruk.com/news/why-mccan…

Salary or dividends. For contractors operating through a limited company, the balance between salary and dividends remains central to tax efficiency. With the 2026/27 tax year approaching — and dividend tax rising — how should directors think about structuring their pay? Lauren Monks, Operations Director at Dolan Accountancy, outlines what limited company directors should consider when structuring pay for the 2026/27 tax year. 🔗 contractoruk.com/news/what-is-a…

Over the past few months we’ve been working on something new around invoicing. Producing a clean, professional invoice with the level of control you’d expect isn’t as straightforward as it should be — something we’d experienced ourselves and heard repeatedly from contractors across the UK. So we built our own. RECRD. A straightforward invoicing tool designed for contractors — allowing you to create personalised, professional invoices in moments, without designing templates from scratch. It also connects with Stripe, so clients can pay immediately rather than invoices sitting around waiting for payment runs. If you’re interested, give it a go for your next invoice: recrd.uk Bowie Dolan CEO, ContractorUK

Mortgage rates have dipped below 4%. But swap rates — the barometer for the price of future money — are rising. John Yerou, CEO of Freelancer Financials, outlines why contractors approaching the end of fixed mortgage deals may want to watch markets closely. 🔗 contractoruk.com/news/what-did-…

Spring Statement 2026 — contractors still waiting. IR35 remains untouched. No employment status review. No new contractor tax measures. Experts from SG Accounting, Brookson, Mellor & Co and LITRG explain what the Spring Statement means for the contractor market. contractoruk.com/news/rachel-re…

Spring Statement 2026: Quiet. Make Work Pay: Structural shift? Payment risk moves. Compliance tightens. The umbrella model evolves. Andy Chamberlain, Head of Strategic Policy and Advocacy at FCSA, explains what the consultation could mean for contractors. contractoruk.com/news/unlike-to…

Joint & Several Liability changes who carries payroll risk. Only 65–75% of manually uploaded umbrella and agency payslips pass audit checks. From April 2026, that exposure may not sit where many assume. Sam Amos a Director at SafeRec, sets out the misconception — and five measurable risks for ContractorUK. contractoruk.com/news/joint-sev…

The Post Office has become the largest public sector IR35 compliance failure on record. HMRC has issued a nine-figure assessment under the Off-Payroll rules — yet the organisation won’t be paying it. 🔗 contractoruk.com/news/post-offi…

“Scrap IR35.” IR35 is flawed. The Off-Payroll rules are controversial. But removing them without a credible alternative isn’t reform — it’s rhetoric. Adrian Marlowe, Managing Director of Lawspeed and Chair of the Association of Recruitment Consultancies, explains four reasons why the “Scrap IR35” message doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. 🔗 contractoruk.com/news/why-ruper…

Non-competes are back under review. A potential cap. A possible ban. Five million workers affected. Tania Bowers, Global Public Policy Director at APSCo, explains what’s on the table — and where contractors fit in. Full breakdown below: contractoruk.com/news/what-does…

Month two is too late. £26bn is tied up in late payments at any one time — and 38 businesses close every day because they’re not paid on time. Adam Home, Managing Director of Safe Collections, explains when contractors should stop waiting and start escalating. contractoruk.com/money/escalate…

46.6. IT contractor demand softened in January, according to the REC index — below the 50.0 growth mark. But Reed says the market isn’t stalling. Steady flow. Specialist shortages. Premiums for niche skills. Full story: contractoruk.com/news/signs-it-…