Exchequer Solutions operations director, Mike Lowndes, was asked by a range of media outlets to comment on this year’s Budget both in terms of what it means to contractors, but also in the wider employment context:
“In general the 2014 Budget is pretty neutral for contractors, one stand out point is the childcare tax break that includes the self-employed and part-time workers. I welcome this provision and indeed applaud any Government initiative that will benefit the UK’s flexible workforce, because these people are critical to the UK economy. If they can be afforded some of the same benefits as full-time employees, then this is only right; why should this significant section of the labour market be excluded just because they choose to work on a self-employed basis?
“Unfortunately this move does not go far enough. The childcare tax break is a marginal gesture and in no way addresses the kind of support or joined-up thinking Government needs to fully recognise the importance of flexible and short-term labour. Over successive Budgets, the Government has made life difficult for those employing a temporary worker at every turn – just to establish what terms people should be engaged on now requires an employment degree in order to wade through the layers of legislation before making the correct decision. George Osborne has again passed up an opportunity to make life easier for this essential workforce, one that the country has depended upon as it rebuilds the economy.
“In terms of proposals to help young people into work it would seem that Government is taking a step in the right direction, but as much as this is a huge boost to apprentices it must be supported by the careers advice that is delivered in schools.
“Providing the appropriate direction to school leavers will help the next generation decided what career is right for them, not mistaking the first available job as the right job.”
Find out more about what the Budget means to you:
Contractors UK:
http://www.contractoruk.com/news/0011480what_budget_2014_means_contractors_pockets.html
Contractor Calculator:
http://www.contractorcalculator.co.uk/budget_contractors_contracting_career_some_cheer_463510_news.aspx
APSCo:
http://www.apsco.org/article/what-does-the-budget-2014-mean-for-uk-recruitment-1510.aspx
Recruiter magazine:
http://www.recruiter.co.uk/news/2014/03/budget-2014-technical-recruiters-set-to-benefit-says-blakemore/
