The File

2026

7 ARTICLES
2026

2026

8 JUL 2026Temporary and Contract Hiring Leads the UK Labour Market RecoveryTemporary billings grew at the fastest rate since April 2023 as employers used flexible workers to advance shorter projects without committing to…BUSINESS
19 JUN 2026CEST Use Collapses as Firms Seek More Certain IR35 AssessmentsUse of HMRC’s employment status tool fell by 71 per cent in two years, according to Freedom of Information data, as clients moved towards alternative…IR35
6 MAY 2026Umbrella Only Hiring Is Driving IT Contractors Away, Survey FindsA survey of 730 contractors and freelancers found that umbrella working was effectively compulsory in many agency engagements, despite widespread…BUSINESS
6 APR 2026Umbrella Tax Liability Rules Put Agencies on the Hook for Unpaid PAYENew joint and several liability rules allowed HMRC to recover umbrella company payroll shortfalls from recruitment agencies or end clients, changing…BUSINESS
17 MAR 2026Technology Contract Market Weakens as AI Reshapes Specialist DemandSThree reported a 17 per cent fall in UK net fees and a 14 per cent decline across its global technology business, while clients redirected spending…IT
4 FEB 2026Post Office’s £104 Million IR35 Bill Exposes the Cost of MisclassificationThe government proposed paying £104.44 million directly to HMRC to settle the Post Office’s historic off payroll tax liability, creating a stark…IR35
29 JAN 2026Outside IR35 Shortage Tops Contractor Fears for 2026A survey of more than 600 independent professionals found that scarce outside IR35 work had become the biggest perceived threat to contractor…IR35