All the latest news from Caunce O'Hara http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news/index " We were highly commended at the London awards event today and a special mention must be made for two of our team who worked diligently in connection with our nominations . Well done Chris Jordan and Natalie Albert. The good news keeps on coming as we have been listed for Manchester Broker 2010 having won the award last year. " http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1553 We have, in addition to making the shortlist for the UK Broking Awards 2010, been recognised as market leaders by Insurance Times for their 2010 awards in the E -Business category.  The industry is recognising the tremendous success we have achieved in the schemes that we offer and the firm have recognised Donna Beanland's efforts by appointing her Director of Schemes. More news will follow in due course http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1543 DNS Associates has in the last month published the following article. Can Dispensation help me   Did you know that when a company reimburses the director or employee their expenses they should be reported on the tax return as a benefit in kind and expenses; the return is called P11d. Herein lies the problem: the more expenses a director claims for his or her business, the bigger the return and the bigger the return, the more likely it is that the Revenue will want to investigate.  So, Why not apply for dispensation? In this way you will http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1533 DNS Associates has in the last month published the following article. Are you claiming all the expenses? Are you sure about which expenses you can claim? Are you plagued by receipts? If you work from a home, do you know how much you can claim? When you travel to see a client do you know whether you can claim the full expense of travel as an expense? Are you sure about what you can claim on mobile or landline phone bills? Read our revised article on expenses to ensure you claim maximum expenses AND, furthermore, that you do so without the hassle http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1523 Vizards Wyeth has in the last month published an article on ‘Health & Safety' Many argue that directors need legal duties to ensure that health and safety is addressed at management and board level. While the established HSE mantra of "good health and safety is good business" has worked in influencing some to embed health and safety into the management and organisational culture, others have been slower to follow, seeing health and safety as a bureaucratic, costly and unnecessary barrier to business. In October 2007, Judith Hackitt, HSC Chair, launched joint HSE an http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1513 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on ‘IT heads for growth after record slump' Worldwide spending on IT will return to growth in 2010, but not before the industry endures the last few months of this year that has proved its tightest 12 months on record.Issuing the forecasts, analysts at Gartner said IT spending was on track to notch up 3.3 per cent to $3.3trillion, once 2009, the worst year ever for IT spending, was over.Globally, IT expenditure fell 5.2 per cent this year, while for enterprise, it fared even worse and dropped by 6. http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1503 Shout99 has in the last month published an article on ‘UK start ups on the increase' UK start ups on the increase Recent research shows that the number of new businesses starting up in the UK is up by a recession-beating 19 per cent compared to last year, at 240 start ups per day. Whilst the rest of the economy has been in recession, UK start up activity seems to have remained vibrant, with growth reaching double figures this year, according to direct marketing company Selectabase. From January to May 2010, the figures http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1493 Shout99 has in the last month published an article on ‘Contractors' Limited company contractors will be excluded from the Agency Workers Directive under the latest proposals from the Government. However, those operating through umbrella companies or who are not 'genuinely self-employed' will be covered. There has been concerns in the freelance community that the EU-inspired Directive would give contractors similar rights to employees in terms of pay, hours, conditions, holidays etc, making them less attractive to potential clients. The initial aim of the Directive was http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1483 Shout99 has in the last month published an article on ‘No commitment to abolish IR35' No commitment to abolish IR35 Confusion hit the freelancing world today amid reports and rumours that the Government had announced it was going to abolish IR35. The Department of Business has confirmed to Shout99 that the position is still to review it and no announcement has been made that it is to be abolished. This started with a report in yesterday's Telegraph by journalist Richard Tyler which has actually taken place several weeks ago, although appearing http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1473 Caunce O'Hara & Company Ltd - Proud to be Chartered Insurance Brokers We have recently been awarded the prestigious Chartered Insurance Brokers designation by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). This is the industry's gold standard for firms of insurance brokers. It confirms that we have satisfied rigorous qualification criteria by retaining highly-qualified staff who subscribe to the membership conditions of the CII. It also involves a commitment to continuing professional development and adherence to an industry standard Code of Ethics. Yo http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1463 Shout99 has in the last month published an article on ‘Chancellor has been kind to contractors' Freelancer group, the PCG, has welcomed what it describes as 'an intelligent Budget which gives freelancers hope for a fairer time ahead. The group also expressed its delight that the Chancellor George Osborne declared 'Britain is open for business. John Brazier, Managing Director, said: "George Osborne delivered an intelligent and decisive Budget which has tried to tackle the historical deficit this country faces. He stated he wanted to create certainty and stability an http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1453 Shout99 magazine has in the last month published this article. Ex-freelancer is Small Business Minister Former freelancer, Mark Prisk MP, has been appointed the Government Minister with responsibility for small businesses. Mark has been an active campaigner for freelancers and has spoken out on many occasions against issues such as IR35 and Section 660 - the married couple's business task. He has made a point of meeting with and listening to freelancer groups and representatives for a number of years and is a regular reader o http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1433 Shout99 magazine has in the last month published this article. The Government must outline robust plans for reducing the UK's budget deficit said 93 per cent of small businesses, as the Chancellor announced the emergency Budget will take place on June 22. The survey, commissioned by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), polled the views of 1,319 members to find out what they would like to see from future Budgets to promote business growth and to secure further economic recovery. Two-thirds of respondents said that a cut in fuel duty would help growth and 36 per cent woul http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1423 Caunce O'Hara is delighted to offer their support to Donna Beanland and Lisa Rickards.  Both these members of staff took part in the Shine Manchester marathon in aid of Cancer Research.  Sponsorship is still arriving in the office but so far £480.00 has been raised.  Well done ladies!! http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1413 Caunce O'Hara is delighted to have attended the Fashion Kicks even at Lancashire County Cricket Club in aid of Macmillan and Beechwood Cancer Care. The event was organised by Manchester City Football star, Shay Given and his wife.  The evening consisted of a fashion show with Manchester City Footballers, a five course meal prepared by Michelin star chefs and a performance by Westlife. There was a charity auction on the night raising thousands for the two nominated charities.  The last Fashion Kicks event in 2008 raised £278,000 and this year was looking to ex http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1403 Shout99 has in the last month published an article on ‘tax for freelancers' A freelancer group has expressed concern at reports in a national newspaper that tax inspectors are to clamp down on people before they break the law. An article in The Daily Telegraph said that a "new code of practice" for tax inspectors, issued last month, contains a key passage on defining tax avoidance: "Avoidance is not defined in the Taxation Acts...One definition is 'a situation where less tax is paid than Parliament intended, or more tax would have been paid, if Parliament turned it http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1393 Crain Magazine has in the last month published an article on ‘Insurer's collapse threatens chaos for smaller law firm' where one of our Director's, Chris Caunce was quoted. Chris Caunce, co-founder of Manchester-based broker Caunce O'Hara, said that this will not be easy.  His firm did not offer Quinn polices to clients - partly because the firm never gained FSA authorisation in the UK. "People went to Quinn because it was offering premiums at half the level of other firms", he said.  "When they go back into the market they'll find the cost of the cover has g http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1383 Shout99 has in the last month published an article on ‘Advice on working with freelancers' Freelancer trade group, the PCG, has launched an interactive guide on how to work with and get best value from freelance workers. The guide has advice and tips on working with freelance professionals, with video interviews with company bosses and freelancers outlining their personal first hand experiences. It also warns how to avoid pitfalls and blunders when planning a project. Some of the key areas explored are: Freelancer and client relations http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1373 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on ‘Demand for IT staff 'unmatched' Professionals who work in IT and Computing on a full-time basis are the most sought- after candidates on the books of UK recruiters, the latest agency report reveals.Research by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation found that IT workers are more likely than seven other types of professional to be winning permanent roles. In line with evidence indicating that client confidence and workloads have grown, the REC said the number of IT roles on a contract basi http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1363 Claims as a result of the volcanic ash cloud are not usually covered by the Caunce O'Hara Freelance travel insurance policy underwritten by RSA, however it is recognised that these are unusual circumstances. Therefore, on this occasion, RSA has taken the decision to cover the costs associated with reasonable extra travel and accommodation expenses for you to return home. In addition, amounts you have paid or are legally required to pay and which cannot be recovered for your own unused travel, accommodation and prebooked excursions will also be taken into consideration under the adverse http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1353 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on ‘Contractor UK Market Report: Hope springs eternal' With a gruesome winter finally yielding, and a promising spring ahead of us, the steadying of IT contractor rates appears to bring news that's as welcome as the daffodils creeping out across the country. This quarter's market report suggests two things; the drastic dip of mid-2009 was a blip, and further recovery will come from the financial sector. After Q2 2009 saw a dizzying fall in rates (a drop of 12% after months of gentle decline) and Q3 of the same http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1343 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on ‘IT contractors' offshore scheme born to avoid tax' Droves of IT contractors must have used an offshore scheme solely to avoid tax, because a "genuine commercial purpose" to such an arrangement does not exist.The verdict, issued yesterday by the High Court, effectively cues up HM Revenue & Customs to claw back £100million from UK residents, including 2,000 IT contractors. Individuals on the scheme, provided by Montpelier, examined by Mr Justice Parker channelled their income through a http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1333 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on ‘HMRC can see you accountants' advice' HM Revenue & Customs has won a significant victory after a court ruled that tax advice given by an accountancy firm to its clients is not privileged.Accoutants warn that, as a result of the ruling, HMRC can now force them to divulge specific advice they make available to their clients on tax law matters.Although the case involved insurance giant Prudential, the judgement is applicable to all taxpayers, irrespective of their size, who engage accountants http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1323 Klarius Group acquires Quinton Hazell On the 2nd February 2010, Klarius, Europe's fastest growing automotive aftermarket manufacturing and distribution business completed the purchase of the Quinton Hazell automotive group (QH) from US-based Affinia, boosting the Group's annual turnover to over EUR416million. Caunce O'Hara & Co Ltd has looked after the insurance Portfolio of Klarius since the acquisition of the European Exhaust business from Arvin Merritor some 3 ½ years ago.  John Batty - Director led a highly experienced team of placement brokers http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1313 Shout99 has in the last month published an article on National Insurance National Insurance contributions will rise by a further 0.5 per cent for all employer, employee and self-employed rates from 2011, but those earning less than £20,000 will be spared. The Chancellor claimed that this measure will generate £3billion a year. NI is currently levied on employers at a rate of 12.8 per cent and employees at a rate of 11 per cent. The move was immediately attacked by the CBI as an 'extra tax on jobs' which would harm the UK's recovery. Small business group, http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1303 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on ‘IT contractor demand rises to 18-month high' Demand for temporary IT staff increased last month to its highest level since the early days of the global financial crisis in April 2008, according to data obtained by CUK.Economists at Markit, which takes the pulse of Recruitment and Employment Confederation agencies, said October was contract IT staff's best month in 18 months. According to the firm's index, which scores IT contractor demand at 53.8, demand for permanent IT staff also peaked last http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1293 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on ,IT jobs market continuing to stabilise' Online job vacancies in Britain's IT sector rose slightly to an eight-month high in October, indicating a further degree of stabilisation in the IT jobs market.The Monster Employment Index, a monthly count of millions of online job adverts, shows last month was the best month for IT workers since February.It represents the second compr http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1283 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on ‘Contractors to keep agency rules 'opt-out' The opt-out from the agency conduct regulations, open to temporary workers who use limited or umbrella companies, should remain, Lord Mandelson's business department announced yesterday.In a decision that most contractors will welcome, the Department of Business Innovation and Skills said it found "no significant evidence" in favour of re http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1273 Shout99 has in the last month published an article on ‘Confusion over scope of agency regs' Confusion continues to surround the Agency Workers Regulations as one recruitment body queried whether limited company contractors would actually be excluded as believed. The EU-inspired initiative, which must be implemented by the UK Government, gives similar employment rights to temporary or agency workers after 12 weeks. There had been concern that, while it was intended to protect vulnerable workers, this would unintentionally include freelancers. These fears were al http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1253 Shout99 has in the last month published an article on ‘The Pre Budget Report' The Pre Budget Report brought a low-key but welcome announcement that HMRC would be retaining its 'equitable liability' powers to drop inquitable tax demands. HMRC and its forerunners have long had the power not to pursue tax in cases where it would be ‘unconscionable' (excessive and unfair) for them to do so. This is the ‘equitable liability' practice and applies in cases where, although an amount is technically due (typically because a taxpayer has missed the deadline for appeal http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=1243