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However, the PCG has demonstrated that many parts of the list are out-of-date and in other cases, the scheme has been open to misuse and abuse.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 Revenue’s 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 Mark’s 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 country’s acknowledged experts in IR35, including Anne Redston from Ernst and Young, PCG’s 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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