IT consultancy
IT consultants range from major firms to one-man bands with great experience of managing IT - and both ends of that spectrum have a role to play in supporting IT leaders. We look at the latest trends and issues around IT consultancy, including how to make the most of freelance and contractor staff and IT advisory services.
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News
24 Apr 2024
AI firm saves a million in shift to Pure FlashBlade shared storage
AI consultancy Crater Labs spent vast amounts of time managing server-attached drives to ensure GPUs were saturated. A shift to all-flash Pure Storage slashed that to almost zero Continue Reading
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News
22 Apr 2024
Fujitsu to cut UK jobs as Post Office scandal fallout hits sales
Japanese supplier’s role in the Post Office Horizon scandal is beginning to hurt its UK business, with job cuts announced Continue Reading
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News
23 Dec 2020
Wipro acquires IT units at German wholesalers
German wholesaler Metro has sold IT units to Indian IT services company Wipro, as part of a long-term agreement Continue Reading
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News
17 Dec 2020
UK police unlawfully processing over a million people’s data on Microsoft 365
The roll-out of Microsoft 365 to dozens of UK police forces may be unlawful, because many have failed to conduct data protection checks before deployment and hold no information on their contracts Continue Reading
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News
15 Dec 2020
Air purifier manufacturer creates IoT service in the cloud
Sweden’s Blueair introduces new functionality for customers through a cloud-based internet of things platform Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2020
After critical year, Vodafone trains security sights on CNI market
Vodafone’s security head Steve Knibbs explains how he plans to bring the lessons of a transformative few years in cyber security to bear on new markets Continue Reading
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Opinion
27 Nov 2020
How to modernise identity governance and administration
Modernising identity governance and administration (IGA) capabilities is essential for organisations to manage identities effectively to ensure they remain competitive, compliant and secure Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2020
Financial Stability Board says it’s time to talk about IT outsourcing risks
International organisation that monitors the finance sector asks for the industry to discuss the risks that IT outsourcing brings to the sector Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2020
TCS acquires Prudential Financial tech operation unit for free
Hot on the heels of its €1 acquisition of Deutsche Bank’s Postbank Systems IT unit, TCS has taken on 1,500 people from the insurance giant’s Ireland-based IT unit Continue Reading
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News
10 Nov 2020
Deutsche Bank to sell retail banking IT unit to TCS for €1
Deutsche Bank has agreed to sell its retail banking IT operation to one of its main IT suppliers for a token €1 Continue Reading
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News
04 Nov 2020
Contractors claim IR35 reforms pose ‘bigger threat’ to their livelihoods than Covid-19 or Brexit
Latest poll by contractor tax consultancy Qdos suggests freelancers are less concerned about the threat the coronavirus and Brexit pose to their businesses than the havoc the IR35 private sector reforms might cause Continue Reading
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News
20 Oct 2020
Rackspace expands Singapore office, eyes ASEAN market
Managed cloud services supplier expands regional office to develop deeper relationships with local customers as demand for its services grows Continue Reading
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News
16 Oct 2020
Services Australia taps AI in document processing
Services Australia and Capgemini have developed an AI engine to classify and extract information from claim documents in a pilot project Continue Reading
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News
13 Oct 2020
Can chameleon Big Blue change its colours?
IBM is renowned for reinventing itself. It now plans to spin out its Global Technology Services business, a division that was once its crown jewels Continue Reading
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News
09 Oct 2020
TCS results signal enterprise readiness to spend on IT after Covid-19 pause
TCS’s financial results signal that enterprises are ready to invest in IT to help them recover from the coronavirus-related business slowdown Continue Reading
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News
08 Oct 2020
Accenture acquires NZ firm to bolster SAP practice
Accenture’s acquisition of Zag comes amid growing demand for expertise in S/4 Hana migrations in Australia and New Zealand Continue Reading
- 07 Oct 2020
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News
25 Sep 2020
Tips on breaking free from long-term IT contracts
Far-reaching, multi-year contracts are less popular these days, but IT departments often find the renewal date is still years away Continue Reading
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News
17 Sep 2020
Loan charge under review: Government’s tax policy set to be challenged under EU law
A fresh attempt to judicially review the government’s controversial disguised remuneration policy is being launched, and its backers have already secured 85% of the £180,000 needed to test whether the loan charge breaches EU law Continue Reading
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News
11 Sep 2020
Government 'making progress' on Smart Freight System prep ahead of Brexit transition deadline
The government appears to be heeding warnings about the readiness of the Smart Freight border IT system, as the January 2021 Brexit transition deadline looms large Continue Reading
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News
10 Sep 2020
Edinburgh council to create smart city operations centre
Edinburgh council extends an outsourcing agreement with CGI as it steps up its smart city programme Continue Reading
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News
01 Sep 2020
Here East CEO advises startups to generate own revenue streams
In a time of deep uncertainty, startups with their own streams of revenue independent of investors and large corporates will have more options and be in a much stronger negotiating position Continue Reading
- 26 Aug 2020
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News
25 Aug 2020
Council to connect hundreds of its sites through wide area network
Local authorities invest in networking and contact centre technology through IT outsourcing contracts Continue Reading
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News
17 Aug 2020
The Security Interviews: How Crest is remaking the future of consultancy
Crest president Ian Glover taught himself cyber security while working on government computing systems in the 1970s and 1980s. Now he is on a decade-spanning mission to change security consultancy models Continue Reading
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News
06 Aug 2020
Coronavirus: IT contractors cite lack of government support during Covid-19 as source of stress
ContractorCalculator research highlights the mental health toll the pandemic is taking on IT contractors Continue Reading
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News
04 Aug 2020
Nordic enterprises look for SAP price reductions as they navigate Covid-19
Businesses in the Nordics are using SAP Cloud Platform to address Covid-19 challenges and are also seeking price reductions Continue Reading
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News
30 Jul 2020
Accenture selected for key role in Bank of England core settlement system replacement
Accenture will be technology delivery partner in project to replace the core system used to settle payments between banks Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2020
Loan charge: HMRC's plans to clampdown on loan-scheme promoters slammed by IT contractors
HMRC is seeking feedback on its plans to tackle tax-avoidance scheme promoters, in the wake of criticism over its past enforcement of the loan-charge policy Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2020
Inside Intel’s transition into an enterprise tech company
Computing giant Intel is pushing deeper into the enterprise with investments in data-centric and emerging technologies along with partnerships with local firms to develop new solutions Continue Reading
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Opinion
21 Jul 2020
Challenging times and transformational opportunities for the outsourcing industry
Every area of the technology sector has been affected by the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, but the outsourcing industry could be well-placed to take advantage of the opportunities it presents Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2020
IBM's Q2 tapered by pandemic business recovery
Country-specific coronavirus responses directly correlate to IBM customer IT investments, with some contemplating dialling back cloud subscriptions Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
Loan charge: Government dashes hopes of revised down settlements for contractors
HMRC and HM Treasury confirm there are no plans to alter the loan charge settlement terms, despite calls from cross-party MPs to consider doing so Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
What do Accenture’s UK job cuts mean to the IT services industry?
Accenture's decision to reduce its UK workforce by 8% will not be the last in an IT services sector hit hard by the Covid-19 disruption. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2020
Huge declines in traditional outsourcing as Covid-19 puts a stop on deals
Traditional IT outsourcing deals value plummets in the last quarter as contracts dry up amid Covid-19 disruption Continue Reading
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Podcast
07 Jul 2020
Women in tech, loan charge woes and automation – The Computer Weekly Downtime Upload Podcast
In this week’s episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Clare McDonald, Caroline Donnelly and Brian McKenna discuss the publication of the long list for the 2020 Most Influential Women in UK Technology, the latest developments in the IR35 private sector reforms, and the impact of AI-driven automation on journalists and other knowledge workers Continue Reading
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News
07 Jul 2020
MSP Xchanging attacked in ransomware incident
Specialist managed services provider is restoring customer access to systems after an unspecified ransomware incident Continue Reading
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News
02 Jul 2020
Accenture to cut 900 UK staff
Accenture is cutting 900 jobs in the UK, as business levels drop amid the global Covid-19 pandemic Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2020
Go lean and embrace partnerships to plot a path for recovery
Starting with the lean principle of a minimum viable product, CIOs should aim to partner with outsourcers and IT suppliers to deliver business value Continue Reading
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Opinion
17 Jun 2020
The Covid-19 crisis: Reinventing digital transformation
Digital transformation projects are returning as organisations realise that improvements in productivity and customer engagement are now even more important – providing that the work can be done remotely and there’s still cash to pay for it Continue Reading
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News
11 Jun 2020
CISOs buying into unified security proposition
The time is right for all-in-one security solutions, according to a report Continue Reading
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News
03 Jun 2020
Security procurement framework goes live for NHS and public sector
Cyber Security Services Framework, developed by NHS Shared Business Services, has formally launched Continue Reading
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News
01 Jun 2020
Coronavirus: Government under renewed pressure to ramp up support for limited company directors
Chancellor of the Exchequer's announced extensions of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme prompt renewed calls for more tailored financial support for limited companies Continue Reading
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News
01 Jun 2020
Inside India: The world’s IT powerhouse
The Covid-19 pandemic is turning out to be a big fork in the road for many companies. But what about the industry that keeps the lights on for them? Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2020
COO interview: Suresh Viswanathan, TSB
TSB’s chief operating officer is overseeing the bank’s operations as it strives to build the right kind of IT reputation Continue Reading
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News
07 May 2020
Facebook announces oversight board members
New board will rule on freedom of expression issues and make policy recommendations to social media giant. Continue Reading
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05 May 2020
Covid-19 will leave its legacy on global IT services
IT services buying and selling will go through a transformation during the coronavirus crisis Continue Reading
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News
04 May 2020
Coronavirus: Do Indian companies still have an edge in Nordic outsourcing?
Covid-19 lockdowns and social distancing have affected Nordic outsourcing strategies. Do Indian firms still have the upper hand? Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2020
Coronavirus: Government under pressure to give limited company IT workers more financial support
IT contractors who provide services through their own limited companies and pay themselves in dividends are largely uncatered for by the goverment's various coronavirus-focused business support packages, and are facing financial difficulties Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2020
How likely are IT service providers to offer discounts in an unprecedented global recession?
As the global economy slows, businesses are trying to cut costs, with IT services one of the first stops – but what are the chances of a happy outcome? Continue Reading
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News
22 Apr 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: Treasury ignores sub-committee’s plea to delay April 2021 start date
Despite the Finance Bill Sub-Committee claiming it would argue for the IR35 reforms to be delayed even if there were no pandemic, HM Treasury remains committed to revised April 2021 roll-out date Continue Reading
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News
20 Apr 2020
Coronavirus: Pandemic will see consolidation of offshore captive centres
Offshore captive IT operations owned by western businesses will be sold off to raise cash and boost efficiency amid Covid-19 pandemic Continue Reading
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News
17 Apr 2020
Covid-19 will leave its legacy on global IT services
IT services buying and selling will go through a transformation during the coronavirus crisis Continue Reading
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News
16 Apr 2020
Coronavirus: Indian IT sector takes hit
India’s IT market will see slower growth this year though opportunities abound in artificial intelligence and cyber security Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2020
Loan charge contractors face double whammy of life-changing repayment demands as past loans recalled
IT contractors already under pressure from HMRC to pay life-changing tax bills relating to their past involvement in loan remuneration schemes now face calls to repay the original loans, too. Computer Weekly investigates Continue Reading
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News
06 Apr 2020
Coronavirus: BPO and IT services delivered from India face big challenges
UK businesses receiving business process outsourcing and IT services from India will face disruption, but IT services from large IT suppliers less so Continue Reading
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Opinion
03 Apr 2020
Coronavirus: What does the ‘new normal’ mean for how we work?
Examining the long-term impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic on the world of work, security, privacy and networks Continue Reading
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News
31 Mar 2020
Loan charge MPs secure ‘unanimous’ support for motion to curb policy’s retrospective powers
A motion raised by the Loan Charge All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), aimed at removing all retrospective elements of the controversial tax policy, has secured the “unanimous” support of the House of Commons Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2020
IR35 reforms: Chancellor slammed for dig at self-employed tax habits during coronavirus briefing
Rishi Sunak under fire for making a veiled reference to self-employed people needing to pay their “fair share of tax” during the government’s daily coronavirus update Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2020
Lorca calls on security scaleups to tackle coronavirus challenge
Lorca innovation programme has launched an open call for its next cohort of cyber security scaleups, with a timely focus on coronavirus challenges Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2020
Coronavirus: IT contractors ‘left stranded’ by exclusion from support for self-employed
IT contractors who provide services through their own limited companies will not be able to access government scheme to support self-employed through coronavirus outbreak Continue Reading
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News
24 Mar 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: Coronavirus prompts calls for fairer deal for self-employed IT workers
ContractorCalculator CEO Dave Chaplin says the deferral of the IR35 reforms should be upgraded to a cancellation, as the response of employers to coronavirus highlights glaring inequalities between treatment of inside IR35 contractors and employees Continue Reading
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News
19 Mar 2020
Loan charge under review: Cross-party group of MPs slams government inquiry into tax policy
The government’s independent inquiry into the loan charge disguised remuneration policy has been criticised in a report by a cross-party group of MPs for being ‘fundamentally flawed’ Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: Coronavirus prompts Treasury to delay start date to April 2021
HM Treasury confirms roll-out of IR35 reforms to the private sector will be halted for a year to ease the pressure on businesses in the face of the coronavirus outbreak Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2020
Budget 2020: Full of promises, but is it enough?
Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget provided plenty of cash for technology and innovation, but has the government done enough to make the tech industry happy? Continue Reading
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E-Zine
12 Mar 2020
CW Europe: Experts examine Dutch government’s IT problems
Technology experts discuss the challenges and potential solutions to the Netherlands government’s IT problems. Also read how Russia’s VTB and Rostelecom are creating a platform to utilise big data technology, and how Spain’s CaixaBank is using AI to help its staff training. Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: Firms risk legal action by pushing employers’ NI onto contractors
Largest-ever study into the impact the IR35 private sector reforms are having on contractors suggests firms are leaving themselves open to litigation by misinterpreting the new rules Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2020
IR35 tribunal sees Nationwide project manager lose £70,000 tax bill appeal to HMRC
IR35 tribunal judge concludes working relationship between two parties is one of employment, with project manager Robert Lee described as ‘part and parcel’ of Nationwide’s organisation Continue Reading
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News
03 Mar 2020
MPs double down on criticism of HMRC's loan charge enforcement action report
The war of words between the Loan Charge All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and HMRC has deepened, as the cross-party group of MPs pens three-page letter outlining its issues with how tax agency is reporting on its enforcement activities Continue Reading
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02 Mar 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: IT contractors weigh up their post-April 2020 work options
There are eight weeks to go until the IR35 reforms come into play for the private sector, but the IT contractor community is already feeling the effects of HMRC’s latest disguised employment clampdown. Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2020
HMRC CEO denies it is ‘deliberately misleading’ public over loan scheme promoter arrests
HMRC CEO Jim Harra has “strongly rejected” claims made on social media by the Loan Charge All Party Parliamentary Group of cross-party MPs that it is “deliberately misleading” the public about its recent loan scheme-related enforcement activities Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: Treasury review concludes no delay needed to April 2020 start date
Contracting groups describe HM Treasury’s highly anticipated review into the implementation of the IR35 reforms as “recklessly inadequate” as it concludes roll-out should proceed as planned Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2020
IR35 reforms: IT contractors warned off joining non-compliant umbrellas to avoid loan charge risk
Contracting stakeholders are calling on the government to do more to regulate umbrella companies ahead of the IR35 private sector reforms coming into play, to prevent more contractors falling into the scope of the loan charge Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: First year of enforcement won't be ‘heavy-handed’, claims chancellor
New chancellor Rishi Sunak has moved to assure business leaders that HMRC will not be heavy-handed in enforcing the new IR35 rules Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2020
Executive interview: Innovation requires radical choices
Is IT innovative? Would a tech executive scrap an idea that took months to develop, and start afresh? True innovation requires a culture change Continue Reading
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News
23 Feb 2020
Australian government inks sourcing deal with Rimini Street
The whole-of-government agreement will provide Australian government agencies with easier and cheaper access to third-party software support Continue Reading
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News
19 Feb 2020
Macquarie Cloud Services sets up Azure practice
Macquarie Telecom’s cloud division will deliver Azure managed services to new and existing customers, complementing its existing cloud, hosting, datacentre and telco businesses Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: National Grid contractors up in arms over tax status assessments
Assessments are claimed to have resulted in “99%” of utility firm’s off-payroll workers having their roles reclassified as inside IR35 Continue Reading
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News
13 Feb 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: IT contractors weigh up their post-April 2020 work options
There are eight weeks to go until the IR35 reforms come into play for the private sector, but the IT contractor community is already feeling the effects of HMRC’s latest disguised employment clampdown Continue Reading
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News
12 Feb 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: Protesters demand government halts April 2020 roll-out date
With contractors due to stage an anti-IR35 reform protest march at the Houses of Parliament today, stakeholders pen open letter to the Chancellor outlining their concerns about how the changes are affecting the self-employed sector Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: Research suggests 75% of contractors will leave posts by April 2020
Just eight weeks before the IR35 reforms are due to be extended to the private sector, new research suggests contractors are planning to vote with their feet and leave their positions as blanket bans take hold Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2020
Australian government to roll out SAP S/4 Hana
Australia’s finance department earmarks S/4 Hana as its ERP system to provide common financial and HR services across government Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: HMRC confirms last-minute tweak to incoming off-payroll rules
The government is rolling out a tweak to the IR35 private sector reforms that it claims will give businesses more time to prepare, but stakeholders are unconvinced Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2020
IR35 reforms subject to pre-Budget inquiry as self-employed hit by crisis of confidence
The House of Lords’ Economic Affairs Committee is calling for an immediate inquiry into the real-world impacts of the IR35 reforms on private sector businesses and contractors Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2020
Record-breaking rise in global cloud infrastructure spend between Q3 and Q4
Synergy Research Group’s fourth-quarter look at the cloud infrastructure market reveals a huge jump in sequential spend since the third quarter Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2020
Cost-cutting and digital transformation spur increased European IT outsourcing in 2019
The need to rein in costs while digitally transforming has led to growth in traditional and as-a-service base outsourcing Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: BP contractors notified of incoming ban on PSCs
BP is understood to have begun notifying its self-employed workforce about its plans to terminate PSC engagements from 31 March 2020, in anticipation of the IR35 reforms coming into play the following month Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2020
Inside DXC Technology’s APAC playbook
DXC Technology’s CTO for Asia-Pacific talks up efforts to support the region’s enterprises that are in varying stages of digital transformation Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2020
IR35 reforms are 'demonising' contractors and locking them out of work, chancellor warned
The CEO of online accountancy consultancy InniAccounts has written to the chancellor of the exchequer, Sajid Javid, to call for legislation to be passed that will ensure enterprises take time to individually assess tax status of contractors Continue Reading
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27 Jan 2020
Loan charge under review: IT contractors slam government's planned policy revamp
The IT contractor community shares its verdict on the UK government's plans to revamp its controversial loan charge policy, which has left thousands of people facing life-changing tax bills and financial ruin. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: Recruitment industry urges chancellor to halt April 2020 roll-out
Major players from the UK recruitment industry want the government to delay plans to roll out the IR35 reforms to the private sector so enterprises have more time to prepare Continue Reading
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News
20 Jan 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: IBM joins list of enterprises applying blanket ban to PSCs
Tech giant IBM has notified its personal service company IT contractors that they must switch to PAYE terms or use umbrella companies from the end of March, as the private sector races to achieve IR35 compliance Continue Reading
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News
17 Jan 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: Blanket bans ‘devalue’ IT contractor contributions to digital projects
James Poyser, CEO of contractor-focused online accountancy firm InniAccounts, claims large firms that are failing to assess contractors fairly will lose out in productivity, reputation and talent retention Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2020
Loan charge under review: IT contractors slam government's planned policy revamp
The IT contractor community shares its verdict on the UK government's plans to revamp its controversial loan charge policy, which has left thousands of people facing life-changing tax bills and financial ruin Continue Reading
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News
14 Jan 2020
UK tech sector leads global growth in 2019
Venture capital and foreign investment in the UK’s tech sector is at an all-time high, benefiting both early-stage and already-mature businesses Continue Reading
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News
09 Jan 2020
New GDPR service aims to ease compliance challenges
Security consultants claim their software platform will address a pressing need for an effective and efficient means of complying with data protection rules Continue Reading
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News
07 Jan 2020
Government confirms IR35 private sector reforms under review ahead of April 2020 start date
Government honours pledge to embark on a review of its plans to extend the IR35 off-payroll rules to the private sector that will focus on ensuring the changes are introduced in a “smooth” way in April 2020 Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2019
Loan charge review results: Government agrees to policy amendments to cut tax bills of 30,000 people
The government has announced a package of amendments to the loan charge policy that will remove 11,000 people from its scope, and cut the tax bills of 30,000 others Continue Reading
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News
18 Dec 2019
HM Treasury mulls loan charge review findings, but will not confirm public release date
Contractor community frustrated by lack of concrete release date for review as loan charge settlement date of 31 January 2020 looms Continue Reading
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News
16 Dec 2019
Release of loan charge review must be prioritised by new government, urge IT contractors
With prime minister Boris Johnson expected to announce a reshuffle of his new-look government today, IT contracting stakeholders are calling for the publication of the loan charge review to be prioritised and for the 31 January 2020 settlement date to be postponed Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2019
New government faces calls to urgently deliver on pre-election pledge to review IR35 reforms
Contracting groups and trade associations say prime minister Boris Johnson must deliver on his party’s pledge to review the IR35 reforms and allay fears that it was an empty promise made to secure votes Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2019
IR35 private sector reforms: GSK gives contractors 'quit or go PAYE' ultimatum
Pharmaceutical giant GSK confirms limited company contractors will be phased out from its workforce from early 2020, as it rushes to comply with the private sector IR35 reforms Continue Reading