Our website uses cookies to store information on your computer. You may delete and block all cookies from this site, but parts of the site will not work as a result. Find out more about how we use cookies.
(Accept cookies and do not show this message again)

Shout99.com - Freelancers Outside IR35

To Print this page select Print from the File menu.
Please use your browser Back button to return to Shout99.com

Shout99

Research questions advantages of working via an umbrella
by Susie Hughes at 12:05 29/04/22 (News on Business)
Umbrella company workers believe that there are no advantages to working via an umbrella company, according to research from self-employed group IPSE.
The research has found that despite over a third (34 per cent) of self-employed workers operating through an umbrella company, more than three in five (61 per cent) umbrella company workers believe that there are no advantages in operating via an umbrella company.

The umbrella company market
The use of umbrella companies – which act as an intermediary between contractors and clients in the supply chain for payroll purposes – has grown substantially since the reforms to IR35 in the private sector in April 2021. Nearly seven in 10 (69 per cent) umbrella company workers have stated that their clients insisted they work through an umbrella company since the changes to off-payroll working last year.

Advertisement
Furthermore, almost two thirds (63 per cent) stated that they had some level of choice but were given a limited range of umbrella companies to choose from whilst five per cent were unable to choose their umbrella company and had to operate through one allocated to them.

However, despite self-employed workers being forced to operate via an umbrella company, over half of umbrella company workers (57 per cent) believe that their role is outside of IR35 and that the supply chain won’t allow them to take the risk of working through their own limited company.

The disadvantages to working via an Umbrella Company
Despite the recent growth in the use of umbrella companies, the research found that over seven in 10 (74 per cent) freelancers are dissatisfied about working via an umbrella company, with half feeling very dissatisfied. When asked why they are dissatisfied, eight in 10 umbrella company workers cited the fact that they have to cover the liability for Employer’s National Insurance, and where applicable, the Apprenticeship Levy, through a reduction in their day rate.

The report also found that the majority (70 per cent) of umbrella company workers believe that they have lost their independence and ability to work however they wish since joining an umbrella company.

Andy Chamberlain from IPSE said: “The fundamental problem here is that people are being forced into pseudo-employment relationships they do not want. Since the IR35 changes came in a year ago, thousands who proudly consider themselves self-employed are being pushed into umbrella companies under disadvantageous conditions, often without even a choice over which umbrella company they use.

“This report was shared with the Government following their recent call for evidence and we hope that they listen to us and the many umbrella company workers that have failed to see the benefits of working via an umbrella company. In particular, we hope that they put forward recommendations that stop freelancers from being forced into working for umbrella companies that limit their independence and give them no real benefits.”


--
If you wish to comment on this article, please log in and use the Reply button below. Registering is free and easy - see 'Join Shout99'.
-
Susie Hughes © Shout99 2012


This article was printed from Shout99.com
Copyright 1999-2015 Shout99 Ltd
All Rights Reserved