The much-mooted changes to the IR35 off-payroll working rules have been delayed by 12 months in response to the uncertainty surrounding Covid-19.

The chief secretary to the Treasury, Steve Barclay (pictured) has announced the changes will now come into force on 6 April 2021.

He explained: “This is a deferral and not a cancellation, and the government remains committed to reintroducing this policy to ensure people working like employees but through their own limited company pay broadly toe same amount of tax as those employed directly.”

Many commentators believe the government has “done the sensible thing” by delaying the changes to IR35 in the private sector.