A New Regulation, Zero Disruption to Your Business
From 6th April 2026, a significant change is coming to how agencies work with associates (contractors) and umbrella companies – Joint & Several Liability (JSL).
The UK Finance Bill 2026 includes JSL legislation which will fundamentally shift responsibility for tax compliance across the supply chain.
Over the past six months, Flint Technology Services (Flint TS) have been working to ensure full compliance with the legislation, our customers’ expectations and HMRC guidance. We are well prepared.
Our message to our customers is simple: your partnership with Flint TS is valued and is as reliable as ever. Your projects are protected and your associates are secure.
What is Joint & Several Liability?
Joint & Several Liability means that from April 2026, Flint TS becomes jointly and severally liable for the correct payment of tax by our associates who are engaged via umbrella companies.
In practical terms, if an umbrella company fails to make appropriate tax deductions and payments to HMRC – whether intentionally or through business failure – the responsibility falls to us as the agency.
This isn’t just a technical change in tax law. It’s a fundamental shift in accountability that directly impacts agencies, associates, and ultimately, our customers.
Why This Matters to You
You might be wondering: “This sounds like an agency issue – why should I care?”
The answer is straightforward: risk flows upward, and disruption doesn’t respect organisational boundaries.
If Flint TS were to face significant tax liabilities due to umbrella company non-compliance, it could impact our ability to operate. That means potential disruption to your business-critical projects, loss of skilled associates mid-delivery, and complications you simply don’t have time to deal with.
More subtly, there’s reputational risk. If associates face financial issues due to umbrella company problems, the consequences can extend beyond individual circumstances. Media attention, regulatory scrutiny, and associate unrest can all create headaches that distract from what really matters: delivering excellent outcomes for your business.
We’re determined that none of these scenarios will affect you or your projects.
Our Proactive Approach: Ahead of the Curve
Whilst some agencies are just beginning to consider JSL implications, Flint TS established an internal working party months ago to ensure we’re not just compliant but leading the way in responsible contingent workforce engagement.
Here’s what we’ve done to protect you, our associates, and our business:
Rigorous Umbrella Company Selection
We’ve significantly reduced the number of umbrella companies our associates can work through.
This isn’t about limiting choice – it’s about ensuring quality and oversight. By working with a carefully selected group of umbrella providers, we can:
- Monitor their operations more closely
- Build deeper relationships based on transparency and trust
- Quickly identify and address any potential issues before they escalate
Comprehensive Vetting Criteria
Every umbrella company we work with must meet stringent criteria:
- Compliance Certification: Verified enrolment with our nominated external payroll auditors
- FCSA Accreditation: Membership in the Freelancer & Contractor Services Association demonstrates commitment to compliance standards
- Financial Stability: Thorough credit checks ensure the umbrella companies we work with are financially sound and unlikely to fail
- Transparency: We require willingness to share data and engage openly with our compliance processes
- Proven Track Record: We prioritise relationships with umbrella companies that have demonstrated reliable, compliant operations over time
- Trust & Integrity: Beyond the technical criteria, we assess whether we genuinely trust these organisations to do right by our associates
Real-Time Monitoring
We’re implementing third-party payslip auditing services that provide real-time oversight of umbrella company payments. This means we can verify that tax deductions and payments to HMRC are being made correctly, protecting everyone in the supply chain.
Ongoing Oversight
Our internal working party isn’t dissolving after April 2026 – this is now a permanent part of how we operate. We’ll continue to:
- Monitor regulatory changes and guidance
- Review our umbrella partnerships regularly
- Audit associate engagements for compliance
- Work with our third-party auditors to reconcile data whilst protecting associate privacy
What This Means for Your Projects
Continuity: Your business-critical projects proceed without disruption. The associates you rely on remain engaged and focused on delivery.
Risk Mitigation: We’ve taken actions to reduce and actively manage this risk, so you don’t have to. When you work with Flint TS, you’re working with an agency that takes these obligations seriously.
Confidence: You can trust that our contingent workforce supply chain is robust, compliant, and sustainable. There are no hidden time bombs waiting to disrupt your operations.
Peace of Mind: Your reputation remains protected. Issues with associate payments or tax compliance won’t become your problem because we’re doing our best to ensure they won’t be ours either.
Compliance is in Our DNA
This level of preparation for JSL isn’t exceptional for Flint TS – it’s simply how we operate. Tax compliance, regulatory adherence, and responsible business practices are fundamental to who we are as an employee-owned company. We’ve always taken compliance seriously across every aspect of our business.
JSL is simply the latest example of regulations evolving, and Flint TS evolving with them – always staying ahead, never caught off guard.
Our commitment to compliance isn’t about ticking boxes or avoiding penalties. It’s about protecting the people and partnerships that make our business possible: our associates, our customers, and the collaborative relationships we’ve built over 25+ years.
What do you need to do?
The beauty of our proactive approach is that you don’t need to do anything differently. Continue working with Flint TS exactly as you always have. Your projects proceed as planned. Your associates remain engaged and productive.
We’ve handled the complexity. We’ve mitigated the risks. We’ve ensured compliance.
All you need to do is what you’ve always done: trust Flint TS to deliver exceptional services, supported by the talented associates you’ve come to rely on.
Looking Forward
As we approach 6th April 2026, you can be confident that Flint TS is ready. We’ve turned a regulatory challenge into an opportunity to strengthen our compliance framework, deepen our umbrella partnerships, and reinforce our commitment to responsible contingent workforce engagement.
Your projects are protected. Your associates are secure. Your partnership with Flint TS remains rock solid.
That’s what compliance means to us: not just meeting regulations, but ensuring you never have to worry about whether we have.
Questions about JSL?
Do you have questions about JSL or how Flint TS is managing this transition? We’re happy to discuss our approach and how it protects your specific projects.