Ahead of test cases in February 2026, Boox and Churchill Knight contractors have been selected for a pilot HMRC is already having to quietly apologise about.

How contractor recruitment agencies appear to be caught between two competing pieces of legislation, and what navigating the push-pull needs to involve.

Named and shamed’ avoidance schemes are taking keywords associated with contracting for their names. Or just potentially trading off someone else’s.

Rule 1: Make sure you understand the contract and all its implications before you sign. Rule 2: Treat everything in the contract as negotiable until you sign. And don't be afraid to negotiate! Rule 3: ...

It might be legislation to address umbrella companies, but JSL means it’s agencies that must try to survive and not get wiped out.