Issue 34; 22 December 1999

Letter to Paymaster General | Background Information

LETTER TO THE PAYMASTER GENERAL
'Regular readers' will recall that the last newsletter contained information about the recent meeting with Paymaster General, Dawn Primarolo and Andy White and Philip Ross from PCG. The PCG said it would return to the Paymaster General with further comments.

PCG and our members felt we would not go down the road of submitting yet another flawed half way house to the Government which, from past experience of other's proposals, would be rejected out of hand and used as evidence of 'consultation'.

The Government has stated its commitment to the knowledge-based sector and small businesses, but its actions have consistently belied its words. Therefore, the PCG will not attempt to make a bad job better, when the fundamental basis is fatally flawed.

PCG is in a unique position to understand what the future holds because it is its members with the support of the PCG who will make this happen. As a result, the PCG has clearly laid out what options lay before the Government at this late stage and what the subsequent action will be.

It is for the Government to decide which path it wishes to tread.

The paper is here.

If you are looking to put one letter into your MP during the Christmas period, we would ask that you attach this correspondence to it.

Happy Christmas and a good New Year.

Kind regards
Susie Hughes
Press Officer for the PCG

File store

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Professional Contractors Group (PCG) was formed in May 1999 and is one of the fastest growing Representative Groups in the UK. Membership is invited from Contractors in the Knowledge based sector (mainly IT and Engineering).

Initially formed to Campaign on the issues raised by IR 35, the scope has now been broadened following an Internet ballot of members and the annual subscription of 100 pounds is used to fund a non-profit making organisation run by a Committee of unpaid volunteers drawn from the membership. They in turn are supported by an Executive team comprising of Legal, Accounting, PR, Lobbying, Internet and Office administration personnel who work within agreed, published, budgets.

These experts are drawn from outside existing Industry suppliers to ensure impartiality and a high degree of independent advice. This advice is imparted via the members file store and also through an on-line discussion forum. This also allows the rapid dissemination of information concerning issues affecting Contractors. Key issues are voted upon via an Internet ballot system of all members ensuring a high degree of accountability. As a result it is recommended that Contractors considering joining should have Internet access and they must have an email address.

Associate membership is also available to Clients, Agents, Accountants and representative bodies who would support the aims of the PCG. The subscription of 250 pounds allows access to the Filestore. No further advertising (including banner adverts) is allowed and the only differentiation is the date the Associate Member joined. The earlier the membership the nearest the top of the list. Members will shortly be able to review a list of the Associate Membership together with contact details and future development is planned to add services for the mutual benefit of both classes of Membership.

Associate Membership does not carry voting rights and the funds raised from Associate subscriptions will be used for the development of these mutual services and to establish a legal "fighting fund". It will not be used to fund the core organisation, to ensure that the PCG can be fully funded by Contractors only, guaranteeing complete independence.

You can join the PCG (use the online joining form) at https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/join.html. We can accept credit card payment on line via our secure server. This allows immediate access. Alternatively you can pay by Cheque, but this will not allow access until funds are cleared. We reserve the right to refuse membership for any reason and may carry out random checks of membership applications. Full terms and conditions are available on the site for review.

This email newsletter is published free of charge by the PCG, please forward onto your colleagues.

Agents and Accountants that support the aims of the PCG please copy this email to your Contractors and your clients