Issue 36; 7 January 2000

PCG announces Seminars across the Country

The executive team of the Professional Contractors Group is providing a series of information seminars around the country in February for contractors, agents, accountants and other parties with an interest or involvement in IR35.

The purpose of these seminars is to give contractors and others an explanation of IR35 as it currently stands; the role of the PCG; and the future options available to contractors. The seminars also allow for a detailed question and answer session with the country's leading experts in this field.

The panel will include PCG's chairman Andy White, director David Ramsden, accountant Kevin Miller and lawyer Tony Askham who have been at the forefront of PCG's campaign since the beginning and collectively have unparalleled experience and knowledge of the issue. Together, they are in a position to explain the detail of the proposals and look to the future alternatives available to contractors.

There will be two two-hour seminars at each venue - an afternoon session for Clients, agents, accountants and other groups and an evening session for contractors.

It is expected that demand for places will be high, so members of PCG will have first option on places. It is hoped that a limited number of places will be available to non-PCG members on a 'first register, first served' basis.

Venue and dates:
Feb 9 (Wed) - Southampton
Feb 15 (Tues) - Aberdeen
Feb 16 (Wed) - Glasgow
Feb 17 (Thurs) - Newcastle
Feb 22 (Tues) - Manchester
Feb 23(Wed) - Birmingham
Feb 24 (Thurs) - Bristol
Feb 29 (Tues) - London.

For more details on this and how to pre-register please see; https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/pcg_seminars.html - link closed.

Kind regards Susie Hughes Press Officer for the PCG https://www.pcgroup.org.uk

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.