31st May, 2001 - 21/01 PCG update & election
PCG wins permission to appeal
Following last month�s application for leave to appeal against
the JR judgement, the PCG legal team learned this week that
the technical part of the appeal, the permission hearing,
has been granted. Our legal advisors continue to assure
us that we have a very respectable case, rating the chances
of success as �50/50�.
PCG must now consider whether to continue the appeal, seek
to develop relevant case law or if funds permit, do both.
Members now have a chance to decide what they want to happen
next as we have re-opened the legal fund. For full details
and to make a donation / choice go
here.
PCG gears up for election
The General Election on June 6 provides an excellent opportunity
for PCG members to lobby prospective MP's on all the issues
which currently affect or threaten our businesses. PCG has
collated information on each of the main political parties
as well as links to election sites, prospective candidates
and marginal seats.
- CC member Susie Haigh contacted each of the major parties
and asked for a statement on the following issues:
- IR35
- Private Security Bill
- Fixed Term Working Directive
- Employment Agency Regulations.
The PCG election info, our submissions on each of these
issues and statements from the parties can all be found
here.
From the hustings � report from David Ramsden, political
advisor
With the election now in full swing, PCG has been looking
for a statement from each of the Parties involved in the
Election. Whilst we will remain apolitical in our stance,
we owe it to our members to let them know where the various
political parties stand on issues that affect the members
of PCG.
On Friday 18th PCG were well to the fore in a political
debate in Southampton. Simon Juden, PCG�s Political Director
had the number two question to a panel that included the
Rt.Hon John Denham, Minister of State for Health; David
Willetts, Shadow Secretary of State for Social Security;
David Chidgey, Lib/Dem Transport spokesman. Toni Shawley
Regional Secretary of FSB completed the panel. Simon�s question
concerned the amount of time taken up by small businesses
complying with the huge raft of regulations that continue
to sprout.
On Monday 21st David Ramsden, PCG�s political advisor attended
the launch of the Conservative Party�s Business Manifesto,
held in Docklands. The launch was conducted by Michael Portillo,
Shadow Chancellor and David Heathcoat-Amory, Shadow Secretary
of State at DTI. There had been an earlier press conference
at which William Hague spoke. At both events IR35 played
a prominent part, indeed at the Docklands event, it was
almost an IR35 rally.
There is little doubt that PCG is an organisation known
to all political parties from the Scottish Nationalists
in the North to the Welsh Nationalists, to the Greens and
UK Independence Party. All have agreed to provide a statement
on their policies and all but one have been received.
Whichever of the three main parties win the Election, all
know that the PCG will be knocking on the door and continuing
to knock over issues that affect our members.
Fixed Term Working Directive
PCG�s submission to the DTI for the Fixed Term Working
Directive can be found here.
This is an important issue and PCG has two main concerns.
They are:
- The proposed exclusion from the legislation of workers
supplied via agencies
- The issue of whether and under what circumstances the
legislation might apply to workers/consultants supplied
to clients via an SSB.
REGIONAL NEWS
For the latest information and to start a local group
see
Forum Link
(having problems?? have
you read this...)
Let us promote your local meet - email [email protected]
with REGIONS in the subject matter, details of the event
and a name and email contact point/or phone number for further
information.
Cambridge
Meet at Golden Hind, Milton Rd 7.30 on Weds 13th July
West Midlands
Monday 4th June at circa 7pm Meeting at the Rose and Crown
100yds down A435 towards Redditch, off J3 of the M42.
Chelt/Glos/Ciren
Weds 23rd May - 7:30pm Golden Heart pub, Nettleton on A417
leaving Gloucester for Cirencester.
Bristol
Date: 15th June Venue : The Brewery Tap, Colston Street,
Bristol Time : 8pm
Basingstoke / Farnborough / Wokingham
Looking to meet at Hog�s Head in Basingstoke on Thursday
5th June for beer and a curry. See post in real life meetings!
Then Prince of Wales in Farnborough - 13th June Wokingham
on Thursday 21st June Time: 7:00 til late Place: The Ship,
Wokingham
Susie Hughes
(Head of Executive Services)
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