John Hayes, from the law firm Irwin Mitchell, has suggested that UK employers may find it more difficult to attract top talent once the government’s cap on Tier 1 migrant workers comes into force.

The CIPD has backed the coalition’s plans to hold an early consultation into extending the right to request flexible working to cover all employees.

Contractor accountants may be interested to learn that the coalition has decided to adopt a more novel approach to tax avoidance.

New research from KPMG shows that whilst the majority of UK companies are optimistic about the prospects for the future, the complexity of rules and regulations are still a barrier to growth.

My blog for June last year was commenting on the first budget of the new Coalition government. It got a cautious welcome from me – which they no doubt appreciated greatly – and while the overall news wasn’t that wonderful, it at least looked like things were heading in the right direction.

Accountancy recruitment is continuing to increase according to the latest Ashdown Group Jobs Index.

Accountants for contractors may want to warn their clients that HMRC plans to increase prosecutions against people who avoid paying their fair share of taxes fivefold.

Accountants should be aware that the end of the present tax year is fast approaching and HMRC has reminded the UK small business community that changes to corporation tax are imminent.

The European Commission wants to reduce significantly the burden of administration, legal uncertainties and compliance costs that face EU businesses and online accountants at present.

Now the dust has settled on the OTS report, it’s been fascinating to see the various reactions to it. Most interestingly, nobody seems to have focused on the biggest potential recommendation, that IR35 be suspended with immediate effect. Which is a shame, really.

It’s not only MPS who falsify their expenses if the latest report from GlobalExpense is to be believed.

A number of leading organisations are calling on George Osborne to deliver a budget that supports small businesses such as contractor accountants.