PCG TAKES SMARTER FREELANCING SEMINARS AROUND THE UK
In response to enthusiastic reviews received for the break-out sessions at its 2003 conference, PCG is organising a series of information-packed seminars for freelancers around the country in early 2004. Open to PCG members and non-members alike, the sessions will be geared towards the needs of established freelancers, new freelancers and those who are thinking about freelancing.

The seminars will be hosted by a team of PCG directors, experts and advisers, including tax expert Dave Smith from Accountax and Simon Dolan from SJD Accountancy. Delegates will have the opportunity to hear the latest news, views and advice on tax and accountancy issues, and to ask questions.

Part of the programme will also focus on how to develop skills to meet market needs, developing "soft skills" and learning to be more productive and effective at marketing and networking.

A seminar website will be launched early next week, with more details of the events and the facility to book online. In the meantime, please make a note of the dates and venues for your diary.

Schedule

• 24 February 2004 London
• 2 March 2004 Manchester
• 3 March 2004 Birmingham
• 4 March 2004 Bristol
• 9 March 2004 Swindon
• 10 March 2004 Croydon
• 11 March 2004 Southampton

By popular demand, there will be two sessions at each venue:

• Afternoon session: 14:00 - 17:00
• Evening session: 18:00 - 21:00

Numbers will be limited, so please register via the website as early as possible. A link to the site will be posted on the home page once it is live.

PCG ATTENDS CONSERVATIVE PARTY SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT
Ian Durrant, PCG's Director of External Affairs, and David Ramsden, Senior Policy Adviser, were invited to attend the Conservative Party Small Business summit on Wednesday 28 January, to participate in setting policy for small businesses.

Ian presented an overview of the policy problems currently affecting the freelance small business and professional communities, including concerns about paragraph 5.91 of the Pre-Budget Report, which is being widely dubbed as "IR591", offshoring of UK employment, the value of IR35 to the Treasury versus the cost of implementing and enforcing it, an update on Agency Regulations, and a note of warning about the threat of a European Temporary Workers Directive.

A spokesman from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) had already articulated concerns about IR35, S660A and IR591, which Ian endorsed before talking at length about the likely macro-economic impact of offshoring.

He also highlighted PCG's success at ensuring an opt-out clause for freelance contractors in the DTI's new Agency Regulations, but warned that a proposed Temporary Workers Directive from Europe threatened to undermine the sensible legislation about to be enacted. He requested that the Conservative Party should watch this directive very closely and formulate policies to mitigate any negative effects on the UK's highly flexible workforce.

With regard to IR35, parliamentary questions had been tabled regarding the cost of implementation, to which government ministers had responded that the figures were not available, or would cost too much to collect. PCG's statistics showed that out of nearly 500 cases initiated by the Inland Revenue, only one had resulted in the payment of extra tax demanded by the Revenue. Ian questioned whether the amount spent collecting the tax far exceeded the amount of revenue that it generated for the Treasury.

PCG's representation was well received, and Henry Bellingham, shadow Secretary of State, thanked Ian Durrant for all the help that he had given Mark Prisk MP with regard to IR591. Commenting upon the event, Ian said, "Our opinions were taken very seriously, and the vote of thanks that we received for our input, in front of so many trade association representatives, gives some indication of the respect with which PCG is now regarded."

ROUTE35 - A REMINDER
We are pleased to let you know that Route35 Cover has been widened for the Membership so that contracts previously reviewed by Inland Revenue and subsequently challenged can now be covered. However, following a query from a member we wanted to remind everybody that Route35 is an insurance that is available only to PCG Members. As before, if PCG membership is subsequently lapsed, then Route will only cover matters dealing with the Employer Compliance Visit, but would invalidate a subsequent PEI (TII) claim.

HOW TO AVOID THE "PHISHING" BUG
There is an article on BBC online with regard to the phishing bug and how to deal with it: members may be interested in reading it at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3423529.stm.

REAL LIFE MEETINGS

Nottingham, anyone?
Possibly Admiral Rodney, Wollaton, Monday 9 February, 19:00 or Tuesday 10 February 19:00 Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6993&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: JohnLG (John Gardner)

Stevenage or Hertfordshire?
Are there any regular meetings in the vicinity of Stevenage or Hertfordshire?
I propose meeting up in the Chequers. It's just on the edge of Stevenage as you go out on the A602, heading towards Hertford. Any other suggestions? What days would suit people? Tuesdays good for everyone?
11 February too soon, not soon enough or about right? Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-7010&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: BrainS (Brian Shield) or swordfish (Neil Youngman)

Edinburgh - Bert's Snug Bar - 5 February 2004 18:00
The theme of this meeting will be "bring a friend". They will find a friendly pub with some good ales. We will let them know that the PCG is a rich source of skills and talents.
Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-7016&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: john_ferguson (John Ferguson

Thames Valley - Maidenhead and locale - 11 February 2004 20:00
After January's non event - apologies to those who went and were lonely - let's have another go. The venue remains the same, Finnegan's Wake on Queen Street in Maidenhead. As before, please try to arrive by 21:00, so that we have the option of moving on if desired. I hope to make this one myself so hope to see the regulars and some new faces there. Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-7044&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: bergerc (Charles Berger)

Farnborough and environs - Monday 23 February 2004
I propose that the next meeting will take place at the Prince of Wales. It was suggested at the last meeting that food should be involved, so I suggest adjourning from the pub to the nearby Ancient Raj for a curry.
Timetable:
From 19:00 Meet at Prince of Wales (or whenever you get there)
Move 21:00
Book 21:30 at the Ancient Raj
All welcome... also just for the food
Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-7025&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: wasADB (Andrew Banks)

PRINCE2 TRAINING: 15% DISCOUNT FOR PCG MEMBERS

Maven Training is a specialist accredited PRINCE2 Training Organisation.

PRINCE2 Stands for PRojects IN Controlled Environments.

There are two levels of qualification. The Foundation level demonstrates to employers that you have a detailed knowledge and understanding of the method and terminology. The Practitioner Level demonstrates your ability to practically apply this knowledge to project situations.

We offer 15% off our standard course fees for PCG members. PRINCE2 Foundation course fees are discounted from £1,150 to £975 plus VAT and from £1,650 to £1,400 plus VAT for the practitioner course. Next available course dates are as follows:

Birmingham 16 February
Edinburgh 23 February
London 1 March
Manchester 15 March
Cardiff 22 March

For further information please contact Maven Training on
Ph 0207 403 8020
Email [email protected]
www.maventraining.co.uk