29th January, 2000 - IR 35 and Associate Membership of the PCG

You will no doubt have been following the debate regarding the introduction of IR35 in the media. As the deadline for implementation draws nearer, there is still a degree of confusion as to how contractors will operate from 5th April onwards.

The Professional Contractors Group (PCG) was formed as a non-profit organisation immediately after the Chancellor announced the IR35 changes in April 1999. Since then 5,000 contractors have signed up to the PCG, originally as a campaigning body which represented their views of the proposed changes. More recently members have voted to turn the PCG into a formal representative body.

In running such a high-profile campaign, the executive team of the PCG has built up unparalleled expertise in understanding all the issues affecting IR35. An on-going analysis of Inland Revenue proposals and their consequences can be found on the PCG website.

Employment Agencies and Clients are now invited to join the campaign as Associate members. Benefits of membership include:

• Access to the PCG members� discussion forum to debate the issues and understand the views of all parties involved.
• Independent analysis of the implementation issues as they arise. The PCG publishes on-going, independent analysis of the regulations. Associates can obtain immediate feedback on the changing situation from 5,000 members, as well as other Agents and Clients.
• Ability to access the PCG filestore, which contains all the analysis information and arguments developed during the last year.
• Invitation to attend the PCG seminars on IR35. 20 seminars in 9 cities starting 9th February. See http://www.ir35update.co.uk/pcg_seminars.html - link expired - for further details and booking form.
• Future access to the PCG Internet Portal to advertise task requirements to the PCG members and access members company brochure details. This Portal is currently being developed.

Agents, contractors and client employers must now work together to implement the proposed changes since all sides stand to lose as things stand. By joining the internet based PCG, strong relations can be formed quickly and openly and up-to-the-minute information will be provided. We would encourage you to attend a seminar and sign up to the campaign if you and your business want to address IR35 seriously.

We look forward to hearing from you soon,

Mark Roderick