While IR35 compliance remains firmly on the radar for contractors, recruiters and end clients, industry attention is increasingly shifting toward the growing risks associated with umbrella company arrangements. Heightened scrutiny around payroll compliance, employment status and supply-chain accountability has prompted many businesses to reassess how contractors are engaged and paid. The challenge is no longer limited to IR35 determinations - it now extends to ensuring payrol

HMRC’s latest employment status challenge involving Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) may centre on football referees, but its implications reach far beyond sport. The case highlights HMRC’s ongoing focus on worker classification, employment status and tax compliance — issues that remain highly relevant across the construction sector. For construction businesses using subcontractors, temporary labour and CIS arrangements, getting payroll treatment right is inc

The UK government has indicated that expanded Right to Work (RTW) checks are expected to become mandatory from 1 October 2026, extending compliance responsibilities beyond traditional employment arrangements to include self-employed subcontractors and contingent labour. Businesses engaging subcontractors will need robust processes in place to avoid potentially significant penalties and operational disruption. For construction firms and labour providers, the changes signal a g

Finally, Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) is up and running. However, you don't have to navigate this new challenge alone. Submitting your self-assessment compliantly could not be easier. Mineral provide a fully managed MTD compliant service at a cost equivalent to £11 per week. This will cover all aspects of your submission, allowing you to concentrate on what you do best in your business. To help with what is required with MTD, see below: What

Half of contractors are struggling with a shortage of skilled tradespeople, which is causing a delay to projects. A UK survey by The Federation of Master Builders and Chartered Institute of Building found that nearly three-quarters of contractors are struggling with a shortage of skilled workers, particularly in trades like carpentry, bricklaying, and plumbing. As a result, about half of contractors have experienced project delays. Some have even had to cancel jobs or put bus

HMRC has handed down a £1.1 million penalty to a promoter behind a non-compliant umbrella scheme, in the latest move to intensify its clampdown on tax avoidance. The scheme, which disguised earnings as loans, was found to fall within disclosure rules — and the tribunal upheld the maximum penalty. The move comes as scrutiny across payroll supply chains continues to grow, with new rules increasing the compliance burden on agencies and end clients. Businesses linked to non-compl

HMRC has expanded its powers to tackle fraud within the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), marking one of the biggest compliance shifts in years. Since April 2026 , businesses can now be held liable for fraud anywhere in their supply chain - even if they were not directly involved. The key test is whether they “knew or should have known” the activity was linked to tax evasion. Under the new rules, HMRC can: Remove Gross Payment Status immediately Recover unpaid tax from bus

The government has launched a consultation on plans to merge the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) into a single organisation. The proposal is designed to streamline training, reduce complexity and help employers access the skilled workers they need more easily. It comes amid growing concern over labour shortages in construction and engineering. Running for 12 weeks, the consultation invites industry f

All payments scheduled for Friday 3rd April will be processed on Thursday 2nd April. We kindly ask that all schedules are submitted by 12:00 pm on 2nd April, and invoices are settled by 2:00 pm, to ensure all operatives are paid before the Easter break. Please note that our office will be closed on Monday 6th April. We will reopen on Tuesday 7th April, resuming normal working hours.

HMRC has generated over £15 billion in just six months through compliance activity, with the construction sector becoming a major focus. HMRC are increasingly scrutinising how contractors classify subcontractors, particularly under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). Many contractors are being challenged on whether individuals treated as self-employed should actually be classed as employees for tax and National Insurance (NI) purposes. Even contractors that believed they

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has run out of funding for training courses under its Employer Network scheme following a sharp rise in demand. As a result, no new bookings can be made for courses scheduled before the end of the current financial year on 31 March 2026 , although previously approved training will still go ahead. CITB said the surge in applications led to the budget being fully allocated earlier than expected. Contractors seeking training before

Our top 5 FAQ's regarding the world of CIS and subcontractors. What’s the difference between an employee and a subcontractor? Employees are on PAYE, with tax and National Insurance deducted through payroll. Subcontractors are usually paid under CIS with tax deducted at source. Employment status depends on working arrangements — not just what the contract says. Do CIS subcontractors go through payroll? No. CIS subcontractors are not processed through PAYE payroll unless they a

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has ramped up compliance activity targeting construction firms operating under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), signalling tougher enforcement across the sector. The increase in checks is focusing heavily on employment status assessments and the correct application of CIS rules — particularly around subcontractor payments and claims for plant and materials. As usual, small and medium-sized contractors are increasingly coming under scrutiny d

Receive unlimited £££'s for every referral you make! Recommend us to any UK-based contractor to receive £25 per subbie, once the business has engaged with Mineral for 8 weeks (taken from the average number of subbies over the 8-week period). Start claiming your rewards now by contacting us on 0330 052 5200.

The recent Evancast (Kent) Ltd tribunal highlights the high cost of failing to meet Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) obligations. EL’s lack of due diligence led to a lost appeal and liability for nearly £930,000 in under-deducted CIS payments. How Mineral supports your business Partnering with Mineral prevents these costly errors: Due Diligence: Every payment is verified for full CIS compliance Clear Documentation: Roles and responsibilities are clearly recorded Expert Su

Britain’s construction industry is enduring its longest downturn in nearly two decades, with housebuilding experiencing its sharpest slump since the start of the Covid‑19 pandemic in 2020. In December, UK construction output fell for the 12th consecutive month , marking the longest continuous decline since the 2007–09 global financial crisis. Housebuilding suffered its steepest drop since May 2020, while commercial and civil engineering projects also contracted. Companies cit

The UK construction sector has been contracting for many months, with output declining across housing, commercial, and civil engineering work amid weak client confidence, fewer tender opportunities and subdued demand. In a downturn like this, many contractors adjust their workforce strategy — and self-employed operatives often play a key role: Flexibility in Uncertain Demand With workloads dropping and new work unpredictable, firms may have less need for full-time staff . Sel

At long last, MTD is about to be rolled out. From 6th April, you will have to submit your self-assessment quarterly, if you earn over £50,000 per annum. Don't worry though, Mineral has the solution to this headache! Utilising a HMRC compliant software partner, we can remove the aggravation of MTD from April. This will guarantee compliance at a competitive rate, giving you complete peace of mind. What is MTD? Making Tax Digital (MTD) is a UK government programme to modernise t

From April 2026, contractors and subcontractors face stricter rules as HMRC targets persistent non-compliance. In the new financial year, HMRC will have stronger powers to tackle fraud under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). HMRC can immediately remove Gross Payment Status (GPS) where a business knew or should have known it was involved in fraudulent tax arrangements. Businesses found complicit may be held liable for unpaid tax , with penalties of up to 30% of the ta

Dear Client, Please be aware that due to the closure of the payroll department over the Christmas period, all of December’s payroll requirements will need to be sent over by the 23rd of December. However, we are open on the 24 th of December until closing at midday. We will then be back in the office on the 30th of December between the hours of 9am and 1pm. Normal office hours will resume at 9 am on the 2nd January for your convenience. If you have any concerns, please get i