The guide has been updated extensively to include:

• An overview of limited liability partnerships (LLPs)
• Details of the new VAT flat rate scheme
• An explanation of the 19% dividend tax announced in the 2004 Budget
• Advice about marketing yourself and networking
• A section on working from home, and business rates for home offices
• Updated personal finance and taxation sections with new rates and allowances
• Clarification about dispensations and allowable expenses

“We are very pleased to offer this valuable guide to the freelance small business community,” said newly-elected PCG chairman, Simon Juden. “It provides a useful source of information to new and established freelancers and small business owners, and offers a wealth of helpful advice about running and nurturing a successful business.

“We estimate that there are around one million freelancers in the UK, from entertainment and media through to IT, financial services, engineering, management and consulting,” Dr Juden continued, “and we anticipate that by 2010, 40% of the UK’s workforce will be freelance. With a growing number of people looking for alternative ways of working outside the corporate umbrella, and few of them knowing where to go for information and advice, PCG clearly has an important role to play.”

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SURVEY

In its quest to continue improving member services and to ensure effective lobbying, PCG needs to be able to analyse broad trends within its membership, and various surveys conducted over the past year have proved invaluable in providing feedback and information. Many of the surveys have related to specific topics or sectors within the membership, and PCG would like to thank all those who have participated to date.

The newly-elected board and Consultative Council are in the throes of devising strategic and operational plans for the coming year, and the annual membership survey being launched today is intended to provide valuable feedback and information to support the decision-making and planning processes.

All members are requested to participate in this survey, which is anonymous and should take only ten minutes or so to complete.

"PCG is at the heart of the freelance community, " said chairman Simon Juden, "and for us to be able to support and nurture our members and offer them commercial and peer support, we must understand their concerns and needs and listen to their opinions. We hope that every PCG member will take the time to share his or her views with us."

ENQUIRY INTO UK EMPLOYMENT REGULATION

The Trade and Industry Select Committee is to undertake an enquiry into UK employment regulation, including freelancing. It will consider the contribution that labour market flexibility makes to the UK economy, and whether the current degree of flexibility is appropriate or desirable, and if not, what measures the Government should take.

Evidence must be submitted by 18 June 2004, and PCG will be making a contribution.

SIMON JUDEN ON BBC2'S WORKING LUNCH

Simon Juden appeared on BBC2's working lunch again on Friday 14 May, his third such invitation to participate in the programme since Budget day.