The pension deficit of the UK’s top 350 companies has almost halved from £62bn to £35bn, now accounting for just 17 percent of total profits, compared to 70 percent 18 months ago. This bucks the trend since 2011 where deficits steadily increased as a proportion of pre-tax profits from a low of 25 percent.
| Published: 11 August 2018
The ONS has published its preliminary estimate of GDP which shows the UK economy grew by 0.4 percent in the second quarter, compared to 0.2 percent in the first quarter. The services sector, which makes up the lion’s share of the UK economy and includes the retail industry, grew by 0.5 percent, its strongest reading since the back end of 2016.
| Published: 10 August 2018
With the IR35 consultation into private sector reform closing this Friday (10th August) IR35 specialist, Qdos Contractor, has called on the Government to consider the wider implications that reform could have on the entire UK economy, which already faces challenges due to Brexit uncertainty.
| Published: 10 August 2018
August 10th is celebrated in the US and around the world as Lazy Day, a day for people to take a break from work and spend the day doing absolutely nothing. We all know that taking a break from work is good for our health and wellbeing, and Lazy Day is a great excuse to do just that.
| Published: 10 August 2018
Tomorrow sees the publication of the first estimate of GDP for the second quarter of the year, which is expected to rebound to 0.4% after a measly 0.2% growth was recorded in the first quarter, thanks to the Beast from the East shutting down much of the country for a few days in February and March.
| Published: 9 August 2018
It's welcomed news that large employers are now able to transfer their levy funds to other organisations. But caution is urged in managing the process well, to maximise the potential business benefits, as the move is adding more complexity to a system that many employers have had difficulty in understanding.
| Published: 9 August 2018
The Vast majority of British jobseekers deem it essential to research a company’s reputation before applying for a job. Name recognition remains vital, with only one in nine candidates deeming it unimportant. More than half of jobseekers automatically distrust a company with no internet presence.
| Published: 9 August 2018
A study by Blacks Solicitors, has found business leaders in the UK don’t feel confident in communicating the forthcoming changes to employees’ rights during Brexit. A quarter (23 percent) revealed they feel underprepared, and a further 61 percent say they are worried about leaving the EU.
| Published: 8 August 2018
Widening gap between mothers and fathers taking leave - difference of 449,00 in 2017/18 “Gig economy” workers suffer lack of paternity rights. The already low number of fathers claiming paternity leave has fallen for the first time in five years, to 213,500, down 3% from 221,000 last year*, says EMW the commercial law firm.
| Published: 8 August 2018
Unite, the UK’s largest union, has accused the government of washing its hands of thousands of workers who are experiencing the misery of being paid via an umbrella company. There has been a huge surge in the number of workers forced to be employed via umbrella companies in recent years.
| Published: 7 August 2018
