Small steps from chancellor Hunt could go a long way to giving enterprising companies the glimmer of hope they deserve.

Now showing Alpha Republic, Canopaye and Integra Resourcing, the taxman’s blacklist is an official resource which is set to run and run.

A general election is too far away for the contractor sector’s hopes and dreams to get realised by the chancellor next Wednesday.

An umbrella market devoid of the Single Enforcement Body means it falls to flexible workers to cover themselves.

Comments in a Whitehall meeting from the minister responsible for umbrella companies revive the prospect of the SEB being set up from Wednesday.

No IR35 mention, no SEB and no corporation tax U-turn means contractors must cling to pensions changes, R&D credits and energy bill help as the few positives from the chancellor.

Chancellor Hunt’s pension boost set to propel fifty-somethings back into contracting, even on brolly roles caught by the off-payroll rules.

His budget wasn’t the time or place, but putting an end to HMRC’s scandalous loan charge must be the job of Jeremy Hunt -- or his successor, in this or the next government.

Physical Right to Work checks are the stuff of a bygone age. Government must keep them digital from September 1st.