Trade and Industry Select Committee - Offshoring Evidence

The PCG is still looking for evidence to present to the Trade and Industry Select Committee looking into offshoring. Response to our last request was very high but now the PCG needs much more specific information.

We can only submit evidence with experience and details - not opinions. In particular, we need anything that relates to the decline of IT skills and lack of contracts - so, please if you can answer the following 3 questions?

1. Have you lost work as a direct result of outsourcing/off shoring? Please give details.

2. Do you have evidence of abuse of visa and ICT systems? Names of companies etc.

3. The length of time that you have been out of contract and other direct personal experience that particularly relates to declining skills and the need to re train.

If you can help please make a post in the relevant discussion thread here http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=lobby-36983&p=0&v=c&s=5
or alternatively mail it to [email protected].

Please remember that evidence is of no use if you want to remain anonymous.

Regional Development Agencies - Support Inquiry

As part of its inquiry into the support to businesses provided by the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), the Trade & Industry Committee will be taking evidence in Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham next week. The Committee will hear from representatives of the RDAs, the Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses, and the Learning and Skills Councils.

The meetings will be held respectively at:
the Manchester Chambers of Commerce, Churchgate House, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester M60 7HJ, on Monday 3 November from 2.30-5.00 pm, at

the Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, 75 Harborne Road, Birmingham B15 3DH, on Tuesday 4 November from 9.15 am-12.00, and

in Nottingham, at the Rutland Square Hotel, St James's Street, Nottingham NG1 6FJ, on Tuesday 4 November from 2.30 - 5.00 pm.

All three meetings are open to the public.

Submit your IR35 tales to the Government

At a fringe meeting during the Labour party Conference, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, John Healey stated that he will look into any evidence businesses can supply that shows they have been adversely affected by IR35.

If you wish to be included in the dossier the PCG will be sending him then please send an email to [email protected] giving your story and your contact details.

Survey reminder - ICT utilisation

Many thanks to all those of you who have already responded to the ICT utilisation survey mentioned in the last two newsletters. If you work in the ICT sector, or have done so within the past three years but haven't yet had a chance to complete the survey, we would very much appreciate your spending a few minutes to do so. It is available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=6060295177. The survey will be closing at midnight tonight, Friday 31 October 2003.

External Affairs Update

PCG Director, Ian Durrant has posted a report on the highlights of the PCG External Affairs Team's progress on the PCG discussion forums. The issues covered are Work Permits, Offshoring and Funding research into the freelance sector.
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=lobby-37034&p=0&v=c&s=5

Regional FSB Seminar

The FSB in the Wessex Region are hosting a Broadband Seminar on Friday 21st November at Kingston Mauward College, Dorchester. A number of high profile speakers, including Oliver Letwin (Shadow Home Secretary) will be present and any PCG member who lives in the area would be welcome. The event is free, but you cannot just turn up on the day. Details and registration can be obtained from the FSB Regional Office Telephone number 01425 280080

Business Scams

A number of scams have re-emerged recently, including asking for CC or Bank Account information. Bank information should never be given to unsolicited emails or for that matter telephone or letter.

Requesting a payment of £95 plus VAT for Data Protection on threat of Court Action. DP Registration is £35 and does not attract VAT anyway. Copies of letters should be sent to the OFT who have obtained injunctions against the perpetrators for misleading advertising.

Real Life Meetings

Aberdeen Branch of the PCG have organised a free IR35 seminar by one of the foremost authorities on the subject.

IR35 SEMINAR: HOW TO BEAT IR35
by David Smith - Accountax
Date: 11th November 2003
Time: 18:30
Venue: Shell, Seafield House, Hill of Rubislaw, Aberdeen
None Members Welcome

Brighton/Java
Just wondered if there were any other java freelancers in the Brighton/Sussex area. I would be interested in meeting up.
There are and is some interest, No Dates yet, join in
Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6740&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: jamescowan ()

Thames Valley - Maidenhead, Reading, Slough, Windsor
Our November meeting will take place on Wednesday 12 November in The Vine (20 Market Street, Maidenhead) at 8pm.
Diana Watson will be giving a brief discussion on marketing for freelancers which will be followed by an open discussion of the talk and general discussion on various Topics until closing time. After that some of the more adventurous (or hungry?) attendees may well try out one of Maidenhead's selection of Oriental restaurants.
Looking forward to seeing both the regulars and (hopefully) some new faces.
Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6758&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: bergerc (Charles Berger)

Edinburgh
Next Meeting Tuesday 4th November 6 - 8pm Bert's Bar, William Street (off Shandwick Place) EH12
The last meeting was well attended with just on a third of our growing group.
We now have 16 Members and are growing steadily, such that we may yet develop
a critical mass to have organized meetings; currently our meetings are deliberately
network based.
That is why we are opting for a new venue next month.
Please note the details in your diary:
PCG Edinburgh Group Meeting
Back Room if available
Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6742&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: John Kerr ( John Kerr)

Yorkshire/Manchester - 14/11/2003 7:00pm Cedar Court, Ainley Top
Planning on arranging a Yorkshire do soonish, with a Manchester/Chester one soon after.
As a starter for ten, how about sometime early in November for the Yorkshire one and later in November for the Manchester/Chester one. Gives a few of weeks to ensure that everyone can put it in their diary.
Yorkshire do to be at the good old HuddersFax location of Ainley Top(M62J24). The Manchester/Chester is a bit more flexible. Do people want a separate one or are Mancunians willing to travel down the M56 to the Chester location (Holiday Inn at Chester Business Park junction (A483T) off the A55 within easy reach of the M56).
What about content? Do we have the usual get together/networking type meeting or should we get someone to give a bit of a talk, like a director or Dave from Accountax. Maybe we could have a run down of the conference from someone who attended.
Emails sent to those on the Yorkshire RLM email list. If anyone wants to be added to the Yorkshire RLM email list drop me a note.
Forum Discussion
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6759&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: JonAxtell (Jon Axtell)

Glos/Wilts meeting
Next meeting will be 3rd Wednesday in November as normal.
Forum Discussion
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6828&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: Haigh (Susie Haigh)

Abingdon, nr Oxford, 19 Nov, Ock Mill, 7.30pm
Next Abingdon meeting for anyone interested - come along, have a drink and meet some folk!
If anyone wants to receive emails about meetings, let me have your email address by private or email (my address is on my profile - remove the "nospamta" bit) and I'll add you to my list.
Hope to see you there
Sarah
Forum Discussion
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6834&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: sgreen (Sarah Green)


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