Agency fees under the Spotlight
Facts of the case: Talent Systems Europe Ltd (trading as Spotlight) operates an online directory through which performers, such as actors and musicians, can pay to upload and maintain their profiles for casting directors to view. Spotlight describes itself as a “Software as a Service” (SaaS) business. A claim was brought against Spotlight by Equity […]
Fire and Rehire Reformed: What the Employment Rights Bill Changes Mean for Recruiters and Employers
First published on 23/09/2025 on FCSA’s main website https://fcsa.org.uk Introduction As industry professionals are no doubt aware, the Employment Rights Bill (the ‘Bill’) is set to shake-up the legal landscape for recruiters and employers. The good news is that the wait is nearly over, with the Bill now in its final stages following the House […]
Lutz v Ryanair DAC: Court of Appeal decision on employment status of agency pilot
Facts: Mr Lutz, a pilot, was supplied to Ryanair by an aviation recruitment agency called MCG Aviation Limited (now known as Storm Global Ltd) (Storm Global). Storm Global had a contract with Ryanair to supply “contracted pilots”. Storm Global in turn mandated that Mr Lutz must provide his services through a service company called Dishford. […]
The 2026 Shift: Why Waiting Is No Longer an Option
There’s a shift coming in 2026 that many are underestimating. It’s not loud. It’s not flashy. But it will change everything. At a recent fireside chat I hosted with Kevin Hart (CEO & Chair of BASDA) and Philip Johnson (CTO here at Kintec), we unpacked the regulatory changes on the horizon—and more importantly, what they […]
Mach Recruitment Ltd v Oliveira [2025] EAT 107 – Service Provision Changes Under TUPE
The Law Under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE), a service provision change will occur when, immediately prior to the change, there is an organised grouping of employees whose principal purpose is to carry out activities on behalf of the client. The Facts Mrs Oliveira was originally engaged by G-Staff Ltd as […]
Amendments to the Employment Rights Bill published
The Employment Rights Bill (“ERB”), which was first published on 10 October 2024, has been amended this month following public consultations and debates within the House of Commons. The ERB remains draft legislation, so it could well be amended further before it eventually passes into law. The latest updates which impact umbrella companies and agencies […]
Doctor found to be inside IR35 despite no obligation on hospital to provide work and no notice period
In George Mantides Ltd v HMRC [2025], the Upper-tier Tax Tribunal has concluded that a doctor, who worked via his own personal services company (“PSC”), fell inside IR35 and was deemed to be an employee of the hospital at which he worked, despite the fact that the hospital was not obliged to provide him with […]
From Temp to Timeless: Why Umbrella Firms Are Looking Into Bureau
If there’s one thing umbrella payroll firms know all too well, it’s that contractor demand can be a rollercoaster. One month you’re flying – filling roles, onboarding workers, and handling payroll at pace. The next? Market shifts, margins tighten, and you’re staring down another unpredictable quarter. That’s why more contractor payroll companies are taking a […]
Viewpoint: How HM Treasury is undermining the Employment Rights Bill
Originally Written by Nick Dancer for Recruiter Magazine Will the government’s solution to tackling tax avoidance really work? Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement in the Autumn Budget that the government would tackle tax avoidance in the umbrella sector was a long-overdue commitment to clean up bad practice. However, the proposed solution – shifting PAYE liability from […]
Right to Work changes relating to casual workers
Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary, has recently confirmed that the government plans to extend the UK’s Right to Work scheme to include self-employed contractors. Every employer in the UK must undertake a right to work check to secure a statutory excuse to an illegal working civil penalty being imposed. If imposed, an illegal working civil penalty […]