Welcome to our latest blog update! Here at The Sterling Group, we are committed to keeping you informed about the recent changes in the UK financial landscape that may affect our agencies and contractors. Let’s dive right into the key highlights.
A Fresh Perspective on Health Services
The Government has outlined an impressive £22.6 billion increase in day-to-day health budgets for the NHS and a further £1 billion boost to the capital budget over the next year. If you’re in construction or the health sector, the £1 billion health capital investment to address the backlog of NHS repairs and upgrades presents significant opportunities.
A Boost for Workers
The government has announced a 6.7% increase in the national living wage to £12.21 per hour. There will also be a phased increase in the national minimum wage for 18-20-year-olds to £10 per hour. For agencies and contractors, this change will need to be factored into payroll calculations.
Changes to National Insurance
To repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the government is taking the difficult decision to increase the rate of employer NICs by 1.2 percentage points to 15%. The per-employee threshold at which employers start to pay National Insurance will be reduced from £9,100 per year to £5,000 per year. These changes will apply from 6 April 2025.
An Update on Capital Gains Tax
The lower and higher rates of Capital Gains Tax are set to increase, from 10% to 18% and 20% to 24% respectively. Contractors should be aware of these changes, as they may impact financial planning strategies going forward.
Infrastructure Projects on the Horizon
Noteworthy for the construction sector is the allocation of funds towards transport projects, including TransPennine upgrades, east-west rail, and road network improvements. The HS2 project represents a significant investment and opportunity for businesses in the sector.
In conclusion, these changes present both challenges and opportunities for our agencies and contractors. The Sterling Group will continue to help navigate these changes and provide necessary support to ensure your business thrives in the evolving landscape.
Full details on the Budget can be found here
Stay tuned for our next blog post!
Maximise Efficiency: Why The Sterling App is a Must for Contractors
In the bustling world of small business and self-employment, every minute and every penny counts. Streamlining your administrative tasks is not just a convenience; it’s a critical strategy for thriving in a competitive market. So, Maximise Efficiency with The Sterling App. This is where the app stands out as a beacon of efficiency and fiscal prudence for contractors and freelancers. Developed with the user’s ease in mind, The Sterling App offers a repertoire of features designed to unburden the modern contractor, enabling them to focus on what truly matters – their craft and their clientele.
Contractors and small business owners are not merely adopting the app; they are avidly advocating it for its seamless integration into their financial management strategies and unmatched user experience. In this comprehensive exploration, we dissect the deep-seated benefits of The Sterling App, discuss why it outshines its competitors, and offer testimonials to underline its sterling reputation.
The Sterling App: What Sets It Apart
The quintessential question for any potential user is ‘why The Sterling App?’. The answer lies in the app’s intrinsic value, with features like live payment tracking, real-time expense submissions, and a user interface built for anyone, no matter their technological proficiency.
Key Features and Benefits
Imagine having your payslips and PAYE at the tip of your fingers. The Sterling App ensures finances are within your sight at all times, giving you a proactive grip on your economic navigation. Its intuitive design transcends the limitations usually faced by complex financial software, making budgeting, and planning accessible to all.
User-Friendly Interface and Customisation
In an era of personalised experiences, The Sterling App does not disappoint. Unlike rigid financial tools, it allows users Cross-device synchronisation to ensure you’re always working with the latest data, whether it’s on your phone or on Sterling’s portal accessed via your desktop.
Real-Life Use Cases
To add a human touch to the app’s efficiency, consider the triumphs of those who have embraced it. From multi site construction contractors submitting expenses to graphic designers streamlining their client invoicing, The Sterling App has catalysed operational makeovers with tangible results.
Success Stories and Testimonials
Behind every successful feature is a satisfied user. Stories of The Sterling App reducing hours spent on financial paperwork or ensuring no expense claim goes unaddressed are not rare. Testimonials echo a unified sentiment of empowerment and liberation from financial worry, enabling users to focus on their professional goals with renewed vigour.
Why The Sterling App Works for Small Business Owners
For small business owners, financial management can be a dual-edged sword, either propelling you forward with foresight or bogging you down with intricate details. The Sterling App is the salve for the latter, offering solutions that are cost-effective and time-saving.
Time-Saving Features
Automation is the buzzword that translates to actionable time savings. The Sterling App’s integrated approach automates mundane tasks, from viewing time sheets and payments to submitting expense claims or holiday pay requests ensuring a contractors time is reclaimed for more strategic pursuits.
How Freelancers and Self-Employed Contractors Can Benefit
For the legion of freelancers and self-employed professionals, The Sterling App is not just a tool; it’s a companion in their entrepreneurial voyages. The app allows contractors to access their account from any where at any time of the day.
Efficient Financial Management
It presents a centralised platform for financial activities, making invoice generation, payment tracking, and expense management as simple as a few taps on your smart device. The app’s power lies in this simplification, ensuring that even the most disinterested technophobes are invigorated by the ease with which they can manage their financial affairs.
Personalised Services
One size fits none in the domain of freelancing. The Sterling App acknowledges this, providing customisable services tailored to individual needs. Whether you’re a part-time contractor or a full-fledged consultant, the app adapts to you, not the other way around.
The Impact on Your Business
The final chapter in The Sterling App’s success story is the quantifiable impact it has on businesses. Whether an uptick in invoice turnover, the optimisation of financial workflow, a significant reduction in costs, The Sterling App is a bottom-line booster through and through.
Financial Management Par Excellence
Contractors utilising The Sterling App are adopting a modern standard in financial management, one that ensures accuracy, timeliness and compliance without fail. The ripple effect through the company’s operational efficiency is palpable, leading to enhanced client relations and a buoyed professional reputation.
Conclusion
The Sterling App is a lighthouse in the sea of financial management tools – a bright beacon guiding contractors and small business owners alike towards operational clarity and financial ease. Freelancers are discovering , its utility is universal. If you’re ready to experience the liberation that comes with financial efficiency, it’s time to embrace The Sterling App. Try it for yourself; the testimonials you’ve heard only scratch the surface of what The Sterling App can bring to your professional life.
Navigate to the app store of your choice, download the app, and join the myriad of satisfied users who now call The Sterling App their financial ally.
Your contracting career or small business endeavours deserve the competitive edge that The Sterling App provides. It’s not just a recommendation; it’s an essential tool for the progressive professional.
We’re here and ready to help you get started, speak to our team today.
Our friendly staff are on hand to guide you through the registration process, answer any questions you may have and solve any queries.
Call us on 01925 626200
Or email us at: info@thesterlinggroup.co.uk
For more information on the benefits provided in the app visit Circular Benefits
As a contractor, your reputation and livelihood depend on compliance – having all of your paperwork and processes in order so you can focus on the work, without worrying about potential issues. However, staying on top of today’s complex regulatory landscape alone is a daunting task. That’s where The Sterling Group aims to provide support by handling all aspects of your payroll, insurance, compliance and more so you can co concentrate on your role without these headaches. But how can you really know if we actually have all the bases covered?
Documentation:
Look for insurance and compliance documentation to ensure the correct cover for your role and industry. Our team is always available if you need to confirm any details about our insurance or any other aspect of your contract. A compliant company will proudly display and make available to you the relevant certificates and policies They should also make available any professional accreditations they have obtained to demonstrate compliance, such as membership of the FCSA, or Professional Passport and any financial accreditations. Lack of documentation could be a red flag.
Reviews and Research:
Another way to confirm compliance is to check reviews and do your research. See what other customers are saying about how the company handles compliance and regulations. You can also search online for any compliance issues or violations the company may have faced. Our TrustPilot review is rated excellent and keeps growing – you can check that out right here: https://uk.trustpilot.com/
Transparency
When working with an umbrella company ensure they are transparent regarding any deductions made from your earnings. The payslip should clearly state what all the deductions are for. Sterling issues every contractor with a payslip guide which clearly and transparently shows all deductions made. We are always happy to discuss this at the start of your assignment to ensure you fully understand the process.
Compliance is deeply integrated into our company’s culture. At every level, from our dedicated leaders to our frontline team, we ensure that regulatory knowledge is nurtured and shared. Our committed employees understand that compliance is not just important, but it is our utmost priority. We will always encourage our contractors to review contracts and policies. Do terms clearly explain relevant compliance obligations? Compliant companies make their standards transparent. Our team is well versed in making sure you’re fully up to date and are able to understand exactly what you are working with. We encourage you to ask questions! As one of the longest established contractor organisation in the UK compliance and customer service is at the forefront of everything we do.
Third-Party Audits
Consider a third-party audit. The gold standard is independent validation of a company’s internal compliance workings. Look for companies that undergo regular third-party audits. We take the time out to review our verification every year to stay consistently compliant. Our 2023 audit is already underway. HMRC have a guide about working via an umbrella company it may be helpful to check out the link: www.gov.uk/guidance/working-through-an-umbrella-company
Finally, trust your intuition – pursue companies that inspire confidence in their commitment to following both the letter and spirit of regulations. Honesty and transparency are hallmarks of umbrella companies that prioritise compliance.
If you have any questions about the compliance of The Sterling Group, or need to chat about any of our services you can get in touch with us by emailing info@thesterlinggroup.com or call 01925 626 200