Parasol celebrates first service providers' sector code

Parasol, the UK’s favourite PAYE umbrella company and one of the country’s fastest growing businesses, today announced itself as a founder member of the Service Providers Association (SPA), a new self-regulating body designed to encourage best practice across the service providers sector. The SPA will issue guidelines, which will cover businesses that provide employment, payroll, tax, accountancy, administrative support and advice to the professional freelance workforce.

Endorsed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the code, which is the first of its kind, outlines the strict standards and legal guidelines that apply to the sector. Compliance with the code will allow reputable service providers to demonstrate their commitment to ethical operating practices, while reassuring freelance workers and users of freelance services that they are dealing with professional organisations.

Rob Crossland, Parasol’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to be part of the first ever code of conduct for the service providers sector. The guidelines represent an important step forward for the industry by setting standards of professionalism and transparency for companies that provide crucial services to freelancers and contractors.  We are committed to ensuring that the needs of freelancers and contractors are at the heart of everything we do and we will continue to lobby on their behalf.”

A spokesperson from HMRC commented: “HMRC welcomes moves by some service providers in the temporary labour market to self-regulate. A commitment to self-effective regulation and transparency in dealing with HMRC is a positive step in reducing compliance burdens and HMRC is pleased to give advice on its interpretation of the law to those wishing to devise a regulatory framework.”