Issue 4; 12 April 1999

Summary of Comments Received | Umbrella Companies | The Way Forward | Background

Many thanks to all those who have made a contribution to the web site. Having put my head above the parapet and been run over by the response ( to mix metaphors) it was a real boost to receive your contribution. I have removed the minimum figure for requesting a receipt and to the rest of you, I hope that you will consider the information is of benefit and decide to make a contribution. Turning to developments; apart from some tidying up of the navigation around the site there are three main areas to report on:-

1)Summary of Comments received: I have had some 1500 and I believe we now need to move the debate on and start to develop a reply to the threat posed by IR35. To assist in this I have summarised the comments received.

2)Umbrella Companies: I have posted an article on this from a Lawyer. From our review of his paper we would conclude that there can be no entrepreneurial imperative in setting up these Companies and they exist solely for the purposes of Tax avoidance. As such the growth in these vehicles will have contributed to the clampdown represented by ir35.

3)The way forward: One representative body, the Independent Computer Contractors (ICC), has considered the issues and produced a paper together with a six point plan. Although written with the IT industry in mind I believe they set out a pragmatic approach to the issue that also covers the engineering sector. I plan to provide a Web based survey that will allow your input into this plan. The results will be published on the web site for reference by all representative bodies.

Best Regards
Andy White | [email protected]

BACKGROUND
This web-site went live on the 13th March 1999 and was developed in reaction to the Budget 99 proposals, specifically those contained within the Inland Revenue press release IR35.The objectives of the site are to:-
Act as a focal point for information and opinion on this key issue with regard to Contractors in the IT and Engineering Sectors.
Provide informed and independent analysis of the situation as it develops.
I intend that the service be provided in the same way that early software was distributed, instead of "shareware" it is "shareinfo". If you feel that the information is of benefit you contribute a small amount. The contribution is not subject to VAT and if you include a Company order for "provision of information critical to my business" I will return a tax invoice for you to claim against your business.
Please send your cheques; made payable to engineerjob.com Ltd to:-

Abacus House
1, Spring Crescent
Portswood
Southampton
SO17 2FZ
Agents can help by letting their Contractors know of this site and by sponsoring the site.