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.
Roger Tilbury reflects on his two year battle with
Inland Revenue
A week ago, Roger Tilbury was celebrating victory in his
IR35 case at the Special Commissioners. "I was naturally
delighted to hear the news," he says, "but still
quite angry that it took over two years to resolve the situation.
Despite PCG's support - for which I am very grateful - this
has been an extremely stressful and worrying time. Thanks
to the uncertainty, I have not been able to invest in my business,
in case the funds were needed for additional tax payments."
Roger had originally submitted his contract to the Inland
Revenue for review, because he wanted to be certain that the
legal advice he had received was correct and that he was paying
the right amount of tax. Despite assurances from the Paymaster
General that this process should take only 28 days, it actually
took over 28 months to get a result. "Not only may the
Revenue have identified the wrong client - Ford Motor Company
rather than Compuware - but they also approached Ford a second
time without my prior knowledge or permission, and without
any concern for the potential commercial damage to my business,"
Roger said.
The outcome of this case is significant in that in reaching
his judgment Mr Stephen Oliver QC focused on the differences
between employment and the facts of Roger's freelance situation,
rather than the similarities between them. So, even though
Roger had been working at Ford for nine years, being paid
by the hour, other factors were deemed more important, such
as the right to substitute, lack of control by Ford management,
and even having a different colour pass which did not entitle
him to use of the gym.
Further details of the case and PCG's advice may be found
in the Special Newsletter of 4 November. http://www.pcg.org.uk/newsletters/NewsletterTilburySpecial.html
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.
TAC Europe
Calling Freelancers with contracts via TAC Europe - TAC will
pay your PCG Membership fee. At notification of expiry, please
forward your last 4 timesheets to the PCG Admin team by fax
to 020 8622 3200 with details of your user name. The PCG Admin
team will then liaise with TAC and arrange for your next year's
fee to be paid.
Real Life Meetings
Brighton/Java
A few of us plan to meet on Monday evening (Nov 10th) at 8.15
in the Evening Star pub, 55-56, Surrey St, Brighton, East
Sussex, BN1 3PB - it is a couple of minutes walk from Brighton
Station.
In case we are delayed or have to cancel or cannot recognise
each other in the pub, we are exchanging mobile numbers.
If you are planning to come, please could you send me a mail?
James
Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6740&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: jamescowan (James Cowan)
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 Edinburgh Meeting 2nd December 2003
Venue: Bert's Bar, William Street, Edinburgh (Off Shandwick
Place)
Date: 2/12/03
Time: 18:00 - 20:00
Snug Bar if available.
John Ferguson
Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6839&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: john_ferguson ( John Ferguson)
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)
Aberdeen IR35 Seminar by David Smith
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
Pre-registration required. Please contact [email protected]
Forum Discussion
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6836&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: AZ (Ajmal Zia)
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!
|