PCG newsletter 16/02: April 30, 2002: evidence of FTV abuse

In this issue:

• PCG hands further evidence of FTV abuse to the Home Office
• PCG Consultative Council Elections - Results
• IR35 Toolkit Seminar Roadshow – Scotland
• Real Life Meetings

1. PCG hands further evidence of FTV abuse to the Home Office

The Professional Contractors Group has handed more than 100 real life examples of Fast Track Visa abuses to the Home Office to demonstrate the system doesn´t work and is affecting the contracting sector adversely.

PCG members were invited to send in their first hand experiences of FTV abuse after the Home Office Minister, Lord Rooker, requested evidence from the PCG in a recent debate concerning the work permit system on the BBC´s Today programme.

Philip Ross, PCG Policy Adviser, said: "Out of the high figure of UK contractors that are currently 'on the bench', many are proficient in the skills sets on Work Permit UK (WPUK's) critical shortage list.
 
"The evidence we have handed to Lord Rooker shows many instances of UK contractors being replaced with cheaper 'permit' workers with inferior skills sets to those they are brought in to replace.
 
"Many of the reports we have received detail how UK contractors at client sites are told by clients to train 'permit' workers who are brought into the country on fast track visas in skills sets that the workers they have replaced were originally hired for."

You can find the full Work Permit UK critical shortage list at
http://www.workpermits.gov.uk/default.asp?pageid=2595

You can read the latest PCG Lobbying Update at
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=lobby-27984&p=0&v=c&s=5?nl300402
This update also contains information on the PCG´s latest activities with ATSCO and REC, and on the links the PCG is building with the AMICUS Trade Union.

The two PCG surveys used to collect evidence on fast track visas are still open, at
http://www.pcg.org.uk/ftv/index.html
on possible abuses of the system, and
http://www.pcg.org.uk/ftv/skillssurvey.html
on specific skills on the skill shortage list.

2. PCG Consultative Council Elections - Results

The Consultative Council elections closed on 18 April, and the full list of new Consultative Council members can be found at
http://www.pcg.org.uk/members/elections/2002/results.html

The first Consultative Council meeting has now been held, at which the new PCG Board of Directors was elected. Details can be found at
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=Notice-433&p=0&v=c&s=5?nl300402

3. IR35 Toolkit Seminar Roadshow – Scotland

Early May presents the last chance to attend the IR35 Toolkit seminar, as the roadshow visits Scotland. Speakers include some of the UK´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
http://www.pcg.org.uk/resources/seminar_02_02.html

REGIONAL NEWS
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Real Life Meetings

For the latest information and to start a local group see
http://www.pcg.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.

Maidenhead
**********
If any members in the Maidenhead area are interested in arranging a Real Life Meeting, go to
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-4768&p=0&v=c&s=5

West Midlands
**********
Date: Wednesday 1 May
Time: 7:30pm onwards
Venue: Rose & Crown, Junction 3 of the M42
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-4765&p=0&v=c&s=5

Bristol
**********
Date: Friday 3 May
Time: 8:00pm onwards
Venue: Naval Volunteer, King St
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-4773&p=0&v=c&s=5

Guildford
**********
Date: Tuesday 7 May
Time: 7.30pm onwards
Venue: Wetherspoon, Guildford
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-4505&p=0&v=c&s=5

Thorpe Park
**********
A midweek trip to Thorpe Park (nr. Staines, Mddx) has been suggested for Thursday 16 May. Go to
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-4763&p=0&v=c&s=5
for further details.

Peterborough
**********
Date: Wednesday 22 May
Time: 8.00pm onwards
Venue: Paul Pry, Lincoln Rd, Peterborough
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-4832&p=0&v=c&s=5

Please follow this link to Real Life meetings to get involved
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f;=meet

(having problems following the links?? have you read this?...
http://www.pcg.org.uk/members/discussion_forum.html)

Alison Edwards
(PCG Executive Team)

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