PCG Newsletter 14/02, 12 April2002 - FTV List
Cut
In this issue:
- PCG Makes Progress On 'Fast Track Visa' List
- PCG Supports Members to Commissioners Update
- PCG Members Tax Helpline Enhanced
- PCG Elections
- IR35 Toolkit Seminar Roadshow Scotland
- Erratum in Guide to Contracting
- Real Life Meetings
1. PCG Makes Progress On 'Fast Track Visa' List
The Professional Contractors Group (PCG) has successfully demonstrated
to the Government that there is no skill shortage in Oracle
Database Administrators and, as a result, it has been removed
from the fast track visa list. This follows on from the PCG's
success last year when other IT skills, including programming
languages, Java, Perl and Visual Basic were also removed from
the list.
The PCG became a member of the Government's Skills Sector
Panel for IT in autumn last year. The panel advises what skills
in the IT sector are in short supply and would be eligible for
the issuing of fast track visas to overseas workers to meet
a perceived need in the market-place.
http://www.workpermits.gov.uk/default.asp?pageid=2595
However, the PCG has demonstrated that many parts of the list
are out-of-date and in other cases, the scheme has been open
to misuse and abuse. The skill shortage list doesn't reflect
the true situation, and the PCG has presented evidence to show
that many of its members possessed the specific skills which
were considered to be in short supply, yet were unable to find
available work on contracts. It is continuing to campaign to
make the scheme more indicative of the real situation.
The PCG is continuing to run two surveys about fast track visas:
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/ftv/index.html
on possible abuses of the system, and
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/ftv/skillssurvey.html
on specific skills on the skill shortage list. We will use
the evidence collected to support the removal of skills from
the shortage list and report specific episodes of abuse. You
can find more information on the campaign at
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/press_pn0602.html
2. PCG Supports Members to Commissioners Update
As reported in the last PCG newsletter, PCG member Mark Sheerin
has agreed to be a case study as the PCG supports his case through
to the Commissioners to contest the Inland Revenues determination
of his IR35 status.
Mark is an IT consultant, operating through a limited company,
of which he is the sole director. In March 2000, believing his
contract would fall outside IR35, he sent a contract to the
Inland Revenue contract review service to get their opinion.
Three months later, the opinion came back an IR35 fail. Mark
decided not to accept this, and launched his challenge. Two
years on the dispute is still not resolved.
You can read Marks own view of his story in full, including
the lessons learnt and what he would have done differently,
at
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=legal-52021&p;=0&v;=c&s;=5?nl120402
3. PCG Members Tax Helpline Enhanced
The PCG has arranged with Qdos Consulting to provide an improved
PCG Tax Helpline, which will be the first point of contact for
any tax related question from a PCG member.
Members may use the helpline for any tax related query large
or small. When you do so, you can expect to be informed of all
applicable PCG policy, guidance and inclusive cover free of
charge!
Full details on the new service are available at
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=Notice-428&p;=0&v;=c&s;=5
4. PCG Elections
The PCG Elections for the Consultative Council continue, with
voting closing at 5:00 pm on 18th April, 2002. Once again, you
are urged to vote in these elections. You can vote at
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/scripts/members/elections/2002/elections.pl?nl120402
For more background info on the voting process, go to
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/elections/2002/index.html
5. IR35 Toolkit Seminar Roadshow Scotland
The IR35 Toolkit seminar roadshow visits Scotland in early
May, giving those working north of the border the opportunity
to attend this event. Speakers include some of the countrys
acknowledged experts in IR35, including Anne Redston from Ernst
and Young, PCGs Kevin Miller and expert practitioners from
Accountax and Qdos. The venues are Aberdeen on Wednesday 1 May,
and Edinburgh on Thursday 2 May. Afternoon and evening sessions
will be held in both venues. For further details, or to book
online, go to
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/resources/seminar_02_02.html
6. Erratum in PCG Guide to Contracting
PCG Associate Member SJD Accountancy has drawn our attention
to a misprint on page 4 of the 2002 edition of the PCG Guide
to Contracting. Under the heading How much do good accountants
cost? the figures quoted should have read £50-£100 +VAT per
month.
REGIONAL NEWS
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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.
Thorpe Park
A midweek trip to Thorpe Park (nr. Staines, Mddx) has been suggested.
Go to
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-4763&p;=0&v;=c&s;=5
for further details.
Maidenhead
If any members in the Maidenhead area are interested in arranging
a Real Life Meeting, go to
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-4768&p;=0&v;=c&s;=5
Glos, Wilts,Worcs
Date: Wednesday 17 April Time: 7:30pm onwards Venue: Golden
Heart, Nettleton, Glos (on Cheltenham to Cirencester road)
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-4766&p;=0&v;=c&s;=5
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Date: Tuesday 23 April Time: 7:30pm onwards Venue: Carriage
pub (Archbold Terrace - 2 minutes from Jesmond Metro station)
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-4767&p;=0&v;=c&s;=5
Peterborough
Date: Wednesday 24 April Time: 8:00 pm onwards Venue: Paul Pry,
Lincoln Rd, Peterborough https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-4671&p;=1&v;=c&s;=5
West Midlands
Date: Wednesday 1 May Time: 7:30pm onwards Venue: Rose & Crown,
Junction 3 of the M42
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-4765&p;=0&v;=c&s;=5
Please follow this link to Real Life meetings to get involved
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f=meet
(having problems?? have you read this?...https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/discussion_forum.html)
Alison Edwards
(PCG Executive Team)
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