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)

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