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Contracting Life 25 Jun 2026

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Image of calendar date with "Jury Duty" handwritten inside, representing article discussing jury duty and impact of loss of earnings on the self-employed
Contracting Life

Jury service for self-employed: getting cover for loss of earnings

Jury duty if you’re self-employed can be the last thing you need. If you’re a freelancer or contractor and a…

Image of laptop keyboard with floating login screen graphic, representing article on key findings from 2025 cyber security reports
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Cyber security reports 2025: why businesses should prioritise staying safe online

It’s no secret that online security is a huge factor for businesses big and small. Cyber attacks are becoming more…

Freelancer mother smiling at laptop while child hugs her from behind in home kitchen, representing work-life balance and family time
Contracting Life

Getting more family time as a contractor or freelancer

One of the biggest reasons people go self-employed is the promise of flexibility. The ability to choose your own hours…

Stressed looking Asian man at laptop surrounded by paperwork
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How the NIS2 Directive impacts your business and the role of cyber insurance

The NIS2 Directive is legislation which aims to achieve a high common level of cyber security across the European Union.…

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How to avoid January self-assessment stress

January is well and truly upon us. Most of us have completed our first full week back in work and…

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Contractor, sole trader or employee: what`s the difference?

Taking the decision to go self-employed can be a difficult one. After all, there are so many variables that you…

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5 Essential Skills Every Contractor Should Have

Don’t panic if you don’t have all of the skills below yet. These are just a few of the many…

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11 productivity hacks every freelancer should know

When you start working for yourself you can start to feel overwhelmed when it comes to managing your productivity throughout…

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7 reasons to quit your job and become a freelancer

Are you thinking about a job change? It might be slightly better pay, but will you feel truly satisfied? If…

Two male workers wearing high visibility vests in front of a wind farm
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Is becoming an energy contractor a good move?

If you’re working in the energy sector but getting tired of working for someone else, you might be starting to…

IT contractor in a computer server room
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What insurance do I need as an IT contractor?

With IT contractors in serious demand, there’s never been a better time for IT professionals to be self-employed. Although there…

Person writing a response to HMRC's IR35 compliance check letters, with documents on the table.
Contracting Life

A Contractor’s Business Guide to Retiring

Many of us dream of a relaxing retirement one day, but when you’re self-employed as a contractor it might not…

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Common Mistakes Made by New Contractors

Becoming a contractor after being in permanent, full-time employment can be a daunting step to take, so the last thing…

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Brand Identity: The Basics

Your brand is the single most important investment you can make in your business? Steve Forbes, editor of Forbes business…

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How to avoid and deal with late payments

It’s one of the horrors of being a contractor: you do the work, submit your invoice, wait the required period…

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Five mistakes every freelancer makes and how to avoid them

Whether you are new to freelancing or you’re a long-term independent professional, it’s fair to say that we all experience…

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EU settled status for contractors and freelancers: Why it still matters

When the UK first began proceedings to leave the European Union, EU settled status was talked about a lot in…

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Can I claim sick pay as a self-employed contractor?

Having to take time off work sick is naturally concerning for contractors, especially in the midst of the cost of…

Contractor tries to type with one hand whilst suffering with a broken arm
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Do I need personal accident cover as a self-employed contractor?

Personal accident cover isn’t often considered when contractors think about what business insurances they need. After all, that research is…

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Local business groups: getting involved

Contracting and freelancing can be a lonely game. It can feel like you’re in a bit of a bubble, isolated…

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How to manage your day effectively when working from home

Government restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 have been tightening up again recently as cases rise and, as a result, many of…

One yellow umbrella amongst black umbrellas
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Umbrella companies: Dos and don’ts to stay compliant in 2022

Earlier this year, Kingsbridge conducted our IR35: One Year On survey. The results revealed that a surprising 12% of contractors…

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What is a professional negligence claim for the self-employed?

No matter what type of contractor you are, no matter what industry you belong in, when you strip things down…

Asian woman at a laptop surrounded by mechanical elements
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Do I need contractor insurance when working overseas as an engineer?

One of the joys of being an engineering contractor is that you’re not tied to working in one location –…

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What to review if you have been contracting for more than 10 years

Many contractors have been helming their limited companies for more than 10 years now – no mean feat when we…

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A contractor`s checklist for returning to work

For many contractors, this means that you too will be looking to return to work as clients re-open their workplaces.…

Female contractor working with laptop and mobile phone
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7 tips to market yourself as a self-employed contractor

When you’re a self-employed contractor, a big unpaid part of your job is to market yourself. You need to make…

London skyline showing some of the key buildings in the banking district
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5 things to consider as a self-employed contractor in London

No matter where you are in the UK, there is always a lot to consider as a self-employed contractor to…

Asian woman at a laptop surrounded by mechanical elements
Contracting Life

Do I need public liability insurance as an engineering contractor?

Back in February, we wrote a guide for engineering students and early-career engineers considering a career move into self-employment. In…

Construction worker works on a laptop surrounded by architects building plans and tools
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The top 10 blogs for self-employed construction contractors

As a construction contractor, you know how important it is to keep up with current news in the sector so…

Man signing a contractor for insurance
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I’m new to contracting, do I need directors’ and officers’ cover?

For brand new contractors, the world of business insurance can, quite frankly, be a bit overwhelming. As an employee, insurance…

Female filmmaker in the media industry
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What insurance do contractors need working in the media industry?

The media and creative industry is huge, spanning so many different contractor and freelancer roles. You might be a social…

Eco-friendly
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How to become a more eco-friendly contractor

Friday 22nd April, is Earth Day. Held annually on the same date since 1970, Earth Day marks the birth of…

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How to look after your mental health as a contractor

Two years on from the start of the coronavirus pandemic, we’re only just starting to really process the impact it…

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The best website builders for self-employed contractors

In a world dominated by digital, having your own website is becoming essential for contractors. It’s a great way for…

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Do I need qualifications to be a self-employed contractor?

One of the banes of being an employee is seeing an advert for a job that you know you could…

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What can I donate to charity via my limited company?

With the cost of living rising and the news rife with stories of vulnerable people struggling to get by, those…

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What are the key 2022 tax year dates for the self-employed?

Now that we’re firmly planted in 2022, it’s a good time to start getting finances in order and, like it…

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How to close down your limited company for Christmas

Let’s be honest, one of the best perks of being self-employed is not having to be answerable to anyone over…

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The best blogs for limited company contractors to read

Being a contractor, it’s important to have a lot of resources at your disposal. Whether that’s news that’s relevant to…

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The 10 best refer-a-friend offers for contractors

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that when you get a great deal on a product or service, you just have to tell…

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Contractor news round-up: July 2021

If we’re being honest, gathering up this month’s top news was a little harder than normal. Not because it was…

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Do IT contractors need insurance?

According to ContractorUK, demand for IT contractors skyrocketed earlier this year to a 32-month high, thanks to businesses requiring IT solutions…

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How contractors can recognise a phishing scam

It was reported last year that scams were on the rise during lockdown, going up by a massive 66%. This has shown…

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How contractors can win back old clients

Now lockdown is over and restrictions are gradually easing, more and more contractors are finding that work is beginning to…

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I`m a contractor: What about my student loan?

This article is for information purposes only and should not be seen as financial advice. You should always consult with…

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What can I do if my client isn’t paying my invoice?

There is little more irritating to the self-employed than a client being late to pay an invoice or, well, just…

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The best podcasts for freelancers

A few weeks ago, we took a look at the 7 blogs every freelancer should be reading. And while we still…

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Uber loses contractor workers’ rights appeal

On Friday 19th February, it was reported that Uber lost its contractor workers’ rights appeal to the Supreme Court. After initially losing employment tribunals and the Court of Appeal, Uber appealed to…