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Blanket Bans, IR35 & Hiring Contractors: What Construction Businesses Need to Know
Episode Description
Most discussions around IR35 focus on tax. But the real impact is being felt in the way construction businesses hire, retain and work with contractors.
Matt Williams from Clear North joins us on the UK Construction Podcast to unpack why so many firms are still getting IR35 wrong, how recent changes have shifted the conversation again, and why blanket bans may no longer be the safest option they once seemed.
Along the way, they discuss the ongoing shortage of quantity surveyors, why some sectors are thriving while others continue to wait on planning approvals, and how businesses can build more resilient commercial teams without limiting their hiring options.
Whether you're responsible for recruitment, commercial management or you're working as a contractor yourself, this conversation offers a practical look at what the latest changes could mean for you.
Topics covered:
- Why IR35 is still widely misunderstood
- The latest changes affecting contractors and employers
- Why blanket bans became common—and whether they still make sense
- The growing demand for quantity surveyors
- How infrastructure, utilities and data centres are shaping the market
- Practical advice for businesses engaging freelance professionals
🌐 Learn more about Clear North: https://www.clearnorth.co.uk/
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Thank you to our sponsor for this episode, WebMotion Media:
https://web-motion.co.uk/
Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com
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