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Honest Insights: Your Trusted Source for Payroll Expertise

Welcome to Honest Payroll Insights, where over 20 years of global experience meets a commitment to clarity and expertise. Here is your go-to resource for navigating the complexities of payroll, accountancy, and recruitment.

Whether you’re in oil and gas, healthcare, construction, or any sector demanding tailored solutions, our team of industry experts is here to keep you informed and empowered. From compliance updates to practical tips and industry trends, explore content designed to make managing payroll seamless – every step of the way.

Mini Umbrella Companies in 2026: What Every Recruitment Agency Needs to Know

Compliance Updates Honest Guides Honest Updates
8 July 2026

By Paul Gatenby When it comes to payroll, most recruitment agencies have one simple objective – make sure contractors are paid accurately, on time and compliantly. Yet, in 2026, one of the biggest risks facing agencies isn’t payroll processing itself. It’s who is processing your payroll. HMRC continues to crack down on Mini Umbrella Companies […]

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Why Contractor Take-Home Pay Isn’t What You Expect (And What To Check)

Honest Guides Market Intelligence Tax Tips
18 June 2026

When a contractor accepts a new assignment, the first thing they often focus on is the advertised day rate. £250 a day. £400 a day. £600 a day. But the reality is that the amount that lands in their bank account can be very different from the headline figure. For both contractors and recruitment agencies, […]

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How Honest Payroll Helps Accountancy Firms Scale Efficiently:

Honest Guides
10 June 2026

We Deliver Specialist Payroll Support for Accountants Who Want to Focus on Growth. Payroll has become one of the most complex and time-consuming services an accountancy firm can offer. From RTI submissions and auto-enrolment pensions to CIS deductions, statutory payments and ever-changing HMRC regulations, payroll requires constant attention, technical expertise and absolute accuracy. For many […]

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How Honest Payroll Specialist Contractor Insurance with AVIVA Helps Agencies Protect Their Workforce and Gain a Competitive Edge

Case Study Honest Guides
27 May 2026

In today’s contractor market, agencies are under increasing pressure to do more than simply place talent. Contractors expect stronger support, greater protection and genuine investment in their wellbeing — particularly when working internationally, offshore or in higher-risk environments. At Honest Payroll, we recognised that agencies needed a more complete workforce solution. That’s why we partnered […]

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Umbrella vs PAYE vs Limited Company: The Straightforward Guide Contractors Actually Need

Honest Guides Market Intelligence Tax Tips
14 May 2026

For contractors entering the market in 2026, there’s no shortage of information about how to get paid. The problem is, much of it is confusing, contradictory, or oversimplified. Umbrella company.PAYE.Limited company. Most contractors have heard the terms. But many are still unsure which option is right for them, how IR35 affects the decision, or why […]

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A New Standard in Contractor Payroll Transparency

Honest Guides Honest Updates
6 May 2026

The Changing Landscape for Contractor Payments   From April 2026, the UK contractor and recruitment landscape is entering a new phase of scrutiny. With increasing focus from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), agencies are being asked tougher questions: Are workers being paid correctly? Are tax liabilities being handled properly? Can you evidence compliance before something goes wrong? Historically, many […]

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Contractor Payroll Compliance Checklist: A Practical Guide for Contractors and Recruitment Agencies

Honest Guides
30 March 2026

Payroll shouldn’t be complicated. But for many contractors and recruitment agencies, it often is. With increasing regulation, evolving compliance expectations, and greater visibility across recruitment supply chains, payroll has become more than just processing payments — it’s now a key part of risk management, trust, and contractor experience. The challenge is that issues don’t always […]

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The Future of Contractor Payroll in the UK: What Contractors & Agencies Should Prepare For (2026 Update)

Compliance Updates Honest Guides Tax Tips
24 March 2026

The world of contractor payroll in the UK has changed significantly over the past decade. From IR35 reforms to increased compliance requirements across recruitment supply chains, both contractors and agencies now face a more complex landscape than ever before. And the changes are far from over. From April 2026, new regulatory developments linked to Making […]

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CIS + MTD: The Double Compliance Burden Hitting Your Contractors in 2026.

Compliance Updates Honest Guides Tax Tips
5 February 2026

  By Paul Gatenby, February 2025 If you’re a recruitment agency running a CIS desk, your contractors are about to get hit with a “Compliance Double-Whammy.” HMRC is layering Making Tax Digital (MTD) right on top of existing CIS requirements. If your subcontractors aren’t prepared, your supply chain is at risk. Here’s the honest truth […]

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MTD 2026: The 60-Day Countdown. Stop Panicking, Start Prepping.

Honest Guides Tax Tips
5 February 2026

  By Paul Gatenby, February 2025 The “once-a-year” tax return is officially on its deathbed. From April 6, 2026, HMRC is changing the rules of the game for high-earning contractors. If you aren’t digital, you aren’t compliant. No more shoeboxes of receipts; no more “dealing with it in January.” If you earned over £50,000 in […]

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