Reply to: recommended umbrella please?

[lucyclarityumbrella]

FWIW Lucy is 100% sound, and I'd be amazed if her business didn't stack up against the best of the best in that group on compliance.

Thanks Andy that is much appreciated

[lucyclarityumbrella]

Just thinking laterally for a mo, why not put a bunch of volunteers on the payroll on minimum wage and selectively up your fees to cover them - say to about minimum wage less £25...?

Love the thinking but loads of technicalities with the contract of employment on that front

[Andy Hallett]

It's a double-edged sword. The FCSA have at last provided a kitemark for what was a pretty shambolic industry. As a buyer (which I was) it makes it easy to just go with a FCSA accredited company as to paraphrase the old adage, nobody gets fired for choosing an FCSA brolly.

That said it does create a Chicken & Egg situation for new entrants.

FWIW Lucy is 100% sound, and I'd be amazed if her business didn't stack up against the best of the best in that group on compliance.

[malvolio]

Just thinking laterally for a mo, why not put a bunch of volunteers on the payroll on minimum wage and selectively up your fees to cover them - say to about minimum wage less £25...?

[northernladuk]

Thank you, you lot are awesome, but it is live numbers that are being payrolled. Just hoping that some of the agencies see the light and risk they are putting contractors at by putting them all through one company!

Most of them can't see past their nose let alone something like that.Sadly all they see is the kick back and the patter from FCSA.

[lucyclarityumbrella]

Yep. The FCSA cartel is definitely an old boys club.

What actually counts as "being on the books" I wonder. I'd be more than happy to sign up to bump up the numbers but just not put any contracts through as I don't need a brolly at the moment.

Thank you, you lot are awesome, but it is live numbers that are being payrolled. Just hoping that some of the agencies see the light and risk they are putting contractors at by putting them all through one company!

[eek]

No. Its the FCSA screwing her and anyone else starting umbrellas. You have to have a minimum number of employees and pay 11k+ to have a review before you can get approved. Problem is they are selling themselves as the only safe certification for brollies so no one will allow non FCSA brollies hence she can't get the numbers.

I've never seen anything like it. What professional body sets the bar so high that it kills off any new growth and excludes anyone else joining.

I don't think it was the £11k that was annoying - it's the fact they then wanted another £11k 3 months later due to the way systems work that really annoys her....

[ladymuck]

Yep. The FCSA cartel is definitely an old boys club.

What actually counts as "being on the books" I wonder. I'd be more than happy to sign up to bump up the numbers but just not put any contracts through as I don't need a brolly at the moment.

[northernladuk]

I saw a post from her recently complaining that she can't get on some PSLs because she doesn't have enough contractors on her books - and can't get contractors on her books because Clarity is not on the PSL...

No. Its the FCSA screwing her and anyone else starting umbrellas. You have to have a minimum number of employees and pay 11k+ to have a review before you can get approved. Problem is they are selling themselves as the only safe certification for brollies so no one will allow non FCSA brollies hence she can't get the numbers.

I've never seen anything like it. What professional body sets the bar so high that it kills off any new growth and excludes anyone else joining.

[malvolio]

Lucy has some kind of interim approval as she is going through the process that had satisfied some agencies

I saw a post from her recently complaining that she can't get on some PSLs because she doesn't have enough contractors on her books - and can't get contractors on her books because Clarity is not on the PSL...

[northernladuk]

thanks .they have to be FCSA Approved.

Lucy has some kind of interim approval as she is going through the process that had satisfied some agencies

[eek]

Do you have any other requirements?

Salary sacrifice
Same day payment
Child care vouchers
Etc ?


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Child care vouchers??? They were binned a while back when the system changed.

Electric Lease cars via salary sacrifice is where it's at at the moment..

[GhostofTarbera]

thanks .they have to be FCSA Approved.

Do you have any other requirements?

Salary sacrifice
Same day payment
Child care vouchers
Etc ?


Sent from my iPhone using Contractor UK Forum

[Aloha1]

Do you have the choice who to go with? Do they have to be FCSA approved? Will you be presented with a list when you submit your choice?

If you've got free reign then speak to Lucy at Clarity Umbrella. She's posted on here for years and has provided a lot of invaluable advice and I have been an employee of hers in the past.

They also have a great uncapped pension offering so can use that to minimise your tax if you have a warchest from the Ltd or don't need all the income.

thanks .they have to be FCSA Approved.

[northernladuk]

Do you have the choice who to go with? Do they have to be FCSA approved? Will you be presented with a list when you submit your choice?

If you've got free reign then speak to Lucy at Clarity Umbrella. She's posted on here for years and has provided a lot of invaluable advice and I have been an employee of hers in the past.

They also have a great uncapped pension offering so can use that to minimise your tax if you have a warchest from the Ltd or don't need all the income.