Umbrella Companies mentioned on Money Box (R4) today.

[SueEllen]

In early retirement, both my parents (teachers all their working lives) worked as supply teachers and were fully aware that the ernic came out of their overall fee.

I guess some folks are just thick.

They are financially illiterate.

This is why the government's aim to make schools etc deal with budgets is doomed.

[jamesbrown]

most do it for the job not the money

Yup, same with academics. Many don't know or care what they're earning, although it's pretty decent nowadays (at least for tenured staff). Odd mentality - not bad I suppose, just odd.

[northernladuk]

In early retirement, both my parents (teachers all their working lives) worked as supply teachers and were fully aware that the ernic came out of their overall fee.

I guess some folks are just thick.

Normally I'd agree whole heartedly but being around my partner and her teaching colleagues I've learnt they just don't think about the money like everyone else. Most of them can't tell me what they are currently earning let alone understanding NI and the like. Obviously we could debate why that is but the fact is most do it for the job not the money. SWMBO did some supply after burning out at her last work and it drove me nuts trying to get her to look at and understand the money side. Some professions, rightly or wrongly just have a different view on it and are not just thick.

That said they do know that they don't know and wouldn't go on a radio programme to prove it.

[NotAllThere]

In early retirement, both my parents (teachers all their working lives) worked as supply teachers and were fully aware that the ernic came out of their overall fee.

I guess some folks are just thick.

[Yonmons]

I wrote a very detailed email to Paul Lewis from Moneybox and not even a whiff of a response, how rude! Appears they are not interested in understanding the difference between true contractors and agency workers

That's the "Beeb" for you, no surprises their then

[Darren at Fox-Bartfield]

Paul Lewis

Bit of a shame Lucy but all he seems to be interested in is generating a story and trying to sensationalise. Wouldn't expect anything else from a hack!

It's a shame as could have been a good article with the correct understanding and a journo that knew what they were on about to present both sides.

[lucyclarityumbrella]

I somehow expected more from a programme that seems to investigate the ins & outs of a gnat's arse on other subjects.

I wrote a very detailed email to Paul Lewis from Moneybox and not even a whiff of a response, how rude! Appears they are not interested in understanding the difference between true contractors and agency workers

[eek]

If the head of PRISM can't explain how an umbrella company works well, then it doesn't bode well for the trade association.

I think it depends who they represent. Don't forget it is very easy to claim you represent people, far harder to get them to accept that you represent them.

[missinggreenfields]

I tried to contact Moneybox but surprisingly enough they did not respond - guessing they only want one side of the story and no interest in understandng how a compliant umbrella operates (and has done over the last 14 years)

If the head of PRISM can't explain how an umbrella company works well, then it doesn't bode well for the trade association.

[lucyclarityumbrella]

Linky - BBC Radio 4 - Money Box, National Insurance - how some 'umbrella' contractors pay twice

Maybe worth writing to Moneybox and telling them that it happens at all "proper" umbrella companies.

I tried to contact Moneybox but surprisingly enough they did not respond - guessing they only want one side of the story and no interest in understandng how a compliant umbrella operates (and has done over the last 14 years)

[SueEllen]

And an frightening indication of how the lower paid are screwed by Hector and umbrella companies.

Listened to it and all the teacher in their example was moaning about was I want to be paid through PAYE.

Well if she was she would be on exactly minimum wage. This way she gets to find out who exactly pays the NI.

Also if she is in a shortage subject after at least a year she would be able to get a permanent job at one of the schools she is a supply teacher at.

The only teachers I know who didn't want this were ones near retirement and they were actually taking their pensions.

[SueEllen]

Linky - BBC Radio 4 - Money Box, National Insurance - how some 'umbrella' contractors pay twice

Maybe worth writing to Moneybox and telling them that it happens at all "proper" umbrella companies.

[zeitghost]

There was an item on today's (4th June) Moneybox about umbrella companies.

It involved some unfortunate teacher who is working through one & was amazed to find she was paying employer's ER as well as employee's ER.

As is usual it didn't shed much light on the issue, it seemingly being a completely novel arrangement that the Beeb had never previously encountered.

Did anyone else hear it?

It's probly on iplayer by now.

I dunno, it seemed as delusional as the "all the company's money is my money" brigade.

It's showing a remarkable ignorance of how stuff works.

And an frightening indication of how the lower paid are screwed by Hector and umbrella companies.

What got me is the feigned (or otherwise) amazement that someone has to pay the employer's NI.

And the oik seemingly unaware that no agency will touch someone who's genuinely registered as "self employed" with a tulipty stick.

And it's been like that for knocking on for 40 years.

I somehow expected more from a programme that seems to investigate the ins & outs of a gnat's arse on other subjects.

But then again, I'm an so what do I know*?


*more than some of those on the prog from the sounds of it.