Back to WebinarsUK Umbrella Reform Is Coming.
Will Your Workforce Strategy Hold Up?
From 6 April 2026, UK umbrella reform introduces joint and several liability for unpaid employment taxes, with no statutory defence, even if you’ve done your due diligence.
If you engage contractors through umbrella companies, this reform could expose your business, your MSP, or your agency to significant financial and compliance risk.
Watch our on-demand webinar to understand what’s changing, where the real risk sits, and how to prepare with confidence.
Featuring expert insights from:
- Shaziya Kermani, Associate Director, Osborne Clarke
- Connor Heaney, President EMEA, CXC
Legal insight. Real-world workforce experience. No fluff.
This isn’t just another compliance update
The UK government estimates £1bn in tax avoidance linked to parts of the umbrella market, and HMRC now has the tools it’s been asking for.
Under the new rules:
- HMRC can pursue agencies or end clients directly
- Liability applies regardless of intent or due diligence
- HMRC can choose who to pursue first
- Historic issues can still trigger exposure
As discussed in the webinar, this is strict liability.
If tax doesn’t reach HMRC, someone in the supply chain pays, and it may not be the umbrella.
What the webinar covers
In this 60-minute session, you’ll learn:
- What’s actually changing under Chapter 11 umbrella reform
- Who is exposed — umbrellas, agencies, MSPs, and end clients
- How joint and several liability really works (and why it’s so different to IR35)
- What HMRC means by a “purported umbrella company”
- Why due diligence still matters, but won’t fully protect you
- What a genuinely compliant umbrella looks like in practice
- How these reforms may reshape supply chains, margins, and contractor behaviour
This is practical, candid insight, not theory.
This webinar is especially relevant if you are:
- An HR, procurement, or compliance leader
- An MSP or recruitment agency
- An end client engaging contingent workers in the UK
- Managing complex supply chains with limited visibility
- Responsible for risk, governance, or workforce strategy
If umbrella companies appear anywhere in your supply chain, this session is for you.
The clock is ticking
The legislation takes effect 6 April 2026.
HMRC already has umbrella compliance firmly in its sights, this reform simply makes enforcement easier.
As discussed in the session, we may not see high-profile cases immediately, but liability will accrue long before enforcement makes headlines.
Preparation now is significantly cheaper than remediation later.
Straight talk, not scare tactics
You’ll hear:
- Honest legal perspectives from Osborne Clarke
- Real-world supply chain implications from CXC
- Clear explanations of what you can control, and what you can’t
- Practical guidance to help you reduce risk and sleep at night
No sales pitch. Just clarity.
Watch the webinar on demand
Understand the risk.
Protect your supply chain.
Make confident UK workforce decisions.
00:42
Feb 19
About CXC
At CXC, we want to help you grow your business with flexible, contingent talent. But we also understand that managing a contingent workforce can be complicated, costly and time-consuming. Through our MSP solution, we can help you to fulfil all of your contingent hiring needs, including temp employees, independent contractors and SOW workers. And if your needs change? No problem. Our flexible solution is designed to scale up and down to match our clients’ requirements.
