PCG PUBLISHES NEW GUIDE TO FREELANCING

PCG has published the third edition of its Guide to Freelancing. The publication is available free of charge to members and non-members alike as a PDF download from PCG’s website.

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.

He answered a question from one viewer who had just retired from full-time employment and wanted to undertake part-time consulting work, and another from someone who had just been made redundant and was planning to take on ad hoc assignments whilst seeking another full-time job. A transcript is available on the BBC website.

USETECH APPEAL

Bill Hood of Usetech Limited, who recently lost his IR35 case against the Inland Revenue, has decided to appeal. Having taken expert legal advice, PCG will be supporting the appeal, which is expected to be heard around mid-June.

SQL FOCUS GROUP

Any SQL developers (any flavour) interested in participating in a focus group on Tuesday 25 May at 18:00 in London to discuss the state of the market should please send an email to [email protected].

UPDATED WORKING OVERSEAS FAQ

The Working Overseas FAQ in relation to the United States has just been updated by PCG member Derek Bergin, who works as a freelance contractor in Northern California.

TOP PICK OF COMMERCIAL FORUM PROJECT POSTINGS

Sybase development DBA - City of London
Sybase development DBA needed to start as soon as possible in the Fixed Income IT area of a major global investment bank. See commercial forum.

Testers - London
Testers required with experience of web-based product testing and performance/stress testing, available to start before the end of May for an initial four to six week contract. See commercial forum.

MSI application packagers - London
Senior application re-packagers required for site near Liverpool Street station. No agency involvement. See commercial forum and website.

REAL LIFE MEETINGS

Kent and surrounds - Monday 17 May 2004 19:30
TGI Fridays, Bluewater.
Forum discussion
Contact: Fat32Stone (Matt H)

Thames Valley / Maidenhead - Wednesday 19 May 2004 20:00
Meal at Purple Elephant Thai restaurant. Please confirm your attendance in advance, so that a table for the appropriate number of diners can be booked.
Forum discussion
Contact: bergerc (Charles Berger)

Farnborough - Monday 24 May 2004 19:00
Prince of Wales pub, see map for location.
Forum discussion
Contact: wasADB (Andrew Banks)

AICS London - Tuesday 25 May 2004 19:00
IT and e-Commerce Law. Guest speaker Simon Halberstam of Sprecher Grier Halberstam LLP, who will discuss the considerations and obligations of contracting over the internet and the use of IT and e-Commerce templates to support B2B agreements.
Forum discussion
Contact: ashmele (John Ashmele)

Edinburgh - Wednesday 9 June 2004 18:00
Bert's Bar in William Street, Edinburgh.
Forum discussion
Contact: john_ferguson (John Ferguson)

Disclaimer - caveat emptor - PCG carries very limited advertising only from known and reputable Affiliates and complementary organisations. Even so, publication of any advertisement carries no implicit or explicit endorsement by PCG.

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