9th July, 2001 - 24/01 JR Appeal news
In this issue:
- Legal Challenge fund - Judicial Review Appeal
- Lobbying - FTWD
- Agency Regulations
- Recent BECTU ruling
- PCG takes stage at Jobserve event
- Member services - Tax Investigation Insurance
- Members Resolution
Judicial Review Appeal
The PCG moved considerably closer to confirming that
it will proceed with the judicial review appeal this week
after finalising costs for its expenditure to date - which
were less than originally budgeted for.
PCG had 'prudently' estimated what the potential costs
to date would be - however, the final figure, which has
now been confirmed by legal advisors, is £115,000 less than
had been ear-marked. That surplus has been added to the
on-going PCG judicial appeal fund, giving it a welcome injection
of cash and taking the 'Fund-O-Meter' ever closer to the
point where the Group can proceed with the Appeal.
PCG's Chairman, Jane Akshar said: "This is a welcome and
significant boost to the judicial review appeal fund. PCG
and our lawyers had made cautious estimates of what our
costs could be so that there would be no hidden surprises
along the way. Now we have the final figures in, our lawyers
have confirmed we are in a position to release £115,000
we held in reserve to the on-going fund. This takes us considerably
nearer our target to proceed with the legal action aimed
at having IR35 struck down as contrary to European law.
"The Board of Directors has always been supportive of continuing
with the legal process, but is firmly of the opinion that
the final decision rests entirely with the membership who
will decide whether or not to fund the action."
PCG is still reliant on contributions from members to fund
the legal challenge. Members who wish to contribute to the
fund should go to: https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/legal/legalpledge.html
The judicial review is one part of PCG's overall strategy relating
to IR35 and other issues affecting contractors. https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/newsletter_010517.html
Lobbying - FTWD
PCG is following up the submission regarding the Fixed
Term Working Directive with a meeting with the DTI later
this month. The main concerns 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 Small Service Business.
The submission can be found at https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/resources/fixed_term_working_directive.pdf
Lobbying - Agency Regulations
PCG will be back at the DTI in July to represent contractor's
views regarding the agency regulations. Members may be aware
that agency body, REC are threatening their own judicial
review of the proposed legislation.
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/resources/agencyregs.html
Lobbying - BECTU Case
PCG noted the European Court ruling and the right to
paid annual leave for all 'workers'. As yet the implications
for limited company contractors is still unclear. https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/resources/PCGNotice_BECTUruling.pdf
Jobserve
PCG will have a speaking slots and an exhibition stand
at the two-day Jobserve conference in the New Connaught
Rooms in London Friday 13th and Saturday 14th July. Chair
Jane Akshar will use the seminar as an opportunity to promote
PCG to potential members and also any agencies or clients
who are present. Jane is speaking at circa 4pm on Friday
and between 12 and 1pm Saturday. https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=Notice-337&p;=0&v;=c&s;=5
Member services - Tax Investigation Insurance
The number of services available to PCG members has increased
quickly and consistently and we know that many members join
to access specific benefits. In each newsletter we will
'profile' a service and provide details to ensure that members
are getting the most value from their PCG membership. More
details of member services can be found at https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/guide.htm
Tax Investigation Insurance
As a PCG member, you automatically receive this insurance
cover as it is *included* in membership -part of the £100
subscription is passed direct to the insurance company to
pay for this service.
The policy covers all tax, NI and VAT investigations and
insures members against the cost of inspection by IR / customs
and excise. In the event of an investigation, members must
immediately notify the tax consultancy team - who will provide
advice directly or where appropriate will work with the
member's retained advisors.
The insurance covers the cost of professional advice during
an investigation and excludes any tax owed, interest or
penalties. The cover is for the business affairs of the
members company and is aimed primarily at the main contracting
/ consultancy business (in the case of multiple income streams).
You must remain a PCG member to continue this coverage.
Full details at https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/tax_invest_insurance.html
An indication of the value of PCG services is available
at https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/resources/pcg_value.htm
Members' resolutions
There is a members' forum on the site where members can
post their own resolutions and seek support. Current 'live'
resolutions can be viewed at:
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f;=28
REGIONAL NEWS
Real Life Meetings For the latest information and to start
a local group see https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f;=meet
To promote your local meet through the newsletter - 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.
Thames Valley
The Thames Valley group now follow a rotating schedule:
1st Tuesday of each month - Basingstoke
2nd Wednesday of each month - Farnborough (Wednesday 11th
July Prince of Wales pub)
3rd Thursday of each month The Ship, Wokingham (next 19th
July)
Glos / Cheltenham / Ciren / Surrounding
Wednesday 18th July All welcome - meet at Golden Heart
in Nettleton at around 7.30pm
West Midlands
Advanced warning of the meet proposed Monday 6th August
at Rose & Crown, on A435 near Jn 3 M42.
Susie Hughes
(Head of Executive Services)
This newsletter is published by the Professional Contractors
Group. Please feel free to circulate the newsletter to other
independent contractors who you know, and who may be interested
in joining the PCG. Some links in the newsletter will take
you into the password-protected members' area of the PCG
website. If you have forgotten your password, contact https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/scripts/public/access/form.pl
To view the Forum links in this newsletter, you must
be first logged into the Forum. Further details available
at https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/discussion_forum.html
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