Several umbrella companies have faced winding-up petitions this year. Since the Joint & Several Liability rules came in on 6 April 2026, that isn’t only a problem for the contractors they employ: agencies and end clients can be pursued for an insolvent umbrella’s unpaid PAYE and NICs.
I contributed to ContractorUK’s practical guide for contractors caught up in this. Roger Sinclair explains the difference between a petition and an order, and sets out four steps: establish the facts, talk to your agency, build a financial buffer, and steer clear of “debt recovery” cold callers.
If you’re contracting through an umbrella and you’re worried, call us. We’ll tell you what we know and what to check.
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