PCG says: A Pre Budget Report that fails the fairness test

PCG, the representative body for the UK’s 1.4m professional freelancers, today called the Pre Budget Report (PBR) a political event which did nothing to help the UK’s nano-businesses and self-employed community. It is apparent the Chancellor of the Exchequer has put off the difficult decisions until after the next General Election, however it is clear everyone will be suffering from huge public expenditure cuts in the next couple of years.

The Professional Contractors Group rebrands as PCG, the voice of freelancing

London, 24 November 2009:  The Professional Contractors Group has unveiled a new identity following a year long brand review process. From today, the association which represents the UK’s freelance consultants and contractors will be known as PCG, the voice of freelancing.  

The decision to rebrand came during the approach to PCG’s tenth anniversary year which signalled a strategic review of the association. Over the last ten years PCG has come a long way from the single issue, campaigning organisation founded in 1999 to combat the IR35 tax law. Today it has matured into a professional organisation that supports its growing base of 18,800 members by engaging with Government and influential bodies to ensure freelancers’ voices are heard.  

PCG calls for fairness, clarity, and recognition for freelancers in manifesto

London, 23rd November

PCG, the voice of freelancing, is calling for "fairness, clarity, and recognition" in its new 'Manifesto for Freelancing', launched today (23rd November) at the House of Commons, as part of a special reception to celebrate "National Freelancers Day".

“Freelancers bring a degree of flexibility and a skill set to the economy which is a real asset for UK plc”, said John Brazier, managing director of PCG. "This Manifesto clearly outlines the key messages the major parties need to adopt, in order to allow this vital part of the economic landscape to flourish".

Bank on freelancers say top business experts…they’re the way to UK prosperity 

London, 20th November 2009

“Bigger is dumber…..” according to Sir Tom Farmer, founder of Kwik-Fit. Along with several other business leaders, Sir Tom has come out in support of tapping into freelancers’ talents as the country strives to get back on its feet over the next decade and beyond.  Michael van Swaaij, former md of eBay Europe and chairman of Skype along with commentators from Thales, The Audit Commission, AD Aerospace and Carillion have all outlined the importance of the UK’s freelance skills and expertise.

Sir Tom Farmer Joins the National Freelancers Day Debate

Sir Tom Farmer one of the UK’s most successful ever entrepreneurs has joined an influential group of corporate big hitters in celebrating National Freelancers Day on November 23rd.

In a fascinating and exclusive interview Sir Tom outlines the importance of the freelancers community as we fight our way out of recession.

PCG expresses concern at new guidance issued by HMRC

22 October 2009:  PCG, the representative body for freelancers, contractors and consultants in the UK, has expressed its deep concern at a report in the Daily Telegraph of 20 October 2009 entitled "Tax inspectors to clamp down on people 'before they break law'." 

"Clearly if this is a new departure for HMRC we are very concerned", Chris Bryce, Chairman of PCG said: "HMRC must act within the law of the land.  Our legal advice is that if HMRC ever did take anything to court on these grounds it would be thrown out and fined heavily." 

PCG calls upon freelance spirits to support national campaign

15 October 2009:  PCG, the representative body for freelancers, contractors and consultants in the UK, has launched its ‘Spirit of freelancing’ campaign to capture thoughts and ideas from freelancers in the run up to Monday 23rd November, National Freelancers Day.

Business commentators look ahead to 2020 as PCG marks National Freelancers Day

www.nationalfreelancersday.org.uk goes live

28 September 2009:  PCG’s dedicated National Freelancers Day website is now live and visitors to www.nationalfreelancersday.org.uk can find out more about the special Day which PCG has organised in a drive to encourage everyone to acknowledge all freelancers, consultants and contractors and the contribution they make to the UK economy. 

National Freelancers Day will highlight three key themes: highlight this flexible, agile and expert community to UK businesses, showing how to engage and work with freelancers effectively; celebrate Freelancing as a valid career choice, highlighting the community and support network; emphasise that to unlock the full potential of freelancing, Government must recognise that freelancers are in business and entitled to clear and fair taxation laws.

PCG welcomes the Government's tightening of work permit

PCG, the voice of UK freelancers, has expressed disappointment at the findings of the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) Report on the abuse of the Work Permit system. The Committee, tasked with advising ministers on immigration policy, has just released its recommendations on how to reform “Intra Company Transfer” (ICT) work permits, which are frequently abused by large companies. ICTs often lead to the displacement of skilled resident workers, such as IT contractors. Instead of tightening the rules to limit the use of ICT permits in the recession, the MAC called for stronger enforcement of the current rules. However the Government has decided to go one step further than this and now forbids the use of ICT permits where they will be directly replacing a settled UK worker.

General election threat from UK’s freelancers

Vote ultimatum from 91% of PCG members to political parties 

PCG, the voice of UK freelancers and contractors, has delivered a stark warning to all political parties. Change the insidious IR35 tax policy or the vast majority of our members won’t be voting for you at the next general election.

PCG lobbies directly for “serious reform” to the work permits system

 PCG, the voice of UK freelancers, is calling for “serious reform” of the immigration system, particularly with regard to the use of ‘intra company transfer’ (ICT) work permits. It has done so in response to a review being conducted by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the body which makes recommendations to Government on immigration policy. PCG asserts such ‘ICT’ permits are displacing UK contractors, and it has been making a strong case for reform through numerous meetings with the MAC. PCG Managing Director, John Brazier, stated “We have been calling for such a review for some time, and our long history of involvement and action on work permit reform has no doubt contributed to the instigation of this exercise.”

PCG “angered” by abuses of the immigration system causing contractors to lose out

PCG today has issued a strong condemnation of the current immigration system, in response to reports of possible abuses exposed in the most recent edition of popular Radio 4 programme “File on 4”. The programme investigated the failings of the current “Points-Based System” of immigration, exacerbated by possible misuse of “Intra Company Transfer” (ICT) visas by blue chip firms. PCG believes large numbers of contractors are being displaced by companies using these visas to facilitate “onshore offshoring” practices, and is calling for urgent amendments to the system. “File on 4” particularly exposed the possible large scale use of “onshore offshoring” by BT to replace contractors, in the firm’s attempts to cut costs.

PCG says accountants on expenses for senior Ministers highlights “morally indefensible” system

PCG, the representative voice of the UK freelance community, has expressed its exasperation after nine members of the Cabinet put the cost of professional help with their personal tax affairs on their parliamentary office allowances.

PCG believes that the present tax and regulatory framework for small businesses is much too complicated.  The current regulatory framework in place alone costs the UK the equivalent of 10-12% of GDP annually.  

PCG has consistently voiced its concerns at the disproportionate burden imposed on freelancers who have been faced with a bewilderingly complex tax return as a result of confusing and ambiguous legislation such as IR35.  Many freelancers have to pay for professional help to complete their self-assessment returns yet HMRC insist on treating these fees as private and thus not tax-deductible.

PCG exposes the truth of IR35's pitiful tax take

PCG, the association that represents freelancers and contractors in the UK, can now reveal the exact amount the restrictive IR35 tax regulation rakes in for the Government.

Following a request under the Freedom of Information Act to HMRC, asking just how much tax revenue IR35 raises for the exchequer, PCG can divulge that between tax years 2002/03 and 2007/08, IR35 directly raised just £9.2 million. This equates to an average of around only £1.5 million per tax year – a tiny sum in Governmental terms. The initial regulatory impact assessment for IR35 in 1999 stated that HMRC expected the measure to generate £220 million per year in National Insurance contributions alone, thus demonstrating IR35 has not lived up to the Government’s expectations.

PCG announces 23rd November 2009 as National Freelancers Day

London, 27th April 2009:  PCG, which represents the UK’s freelancers has declared Monday 23rd November 2009 National Freelancers Day in drive to encourage everyone to acknowledge all freelancers, consultantsand contractors and the contribution they make to the UK economy.  The Day has been launched as part of PCG’s tenth anniversary celebrations.

Budget offers nothing to freelance businesses despite “unprecedented financial crisis

PCG has expressed its deep disappointment at the Chancellor’s failure to provide any assistance to the UK’s 1.4 million freelancers.

PCG Seeks evidence of abuses of the Points Based Immigration System

17 April 2009: PCG, which represents the UK’s freelancers, is launching an evidence gathering campaign to monitor abuses of Tier 2 of the points-based immigration system (PBS). This follows growing concern that abuses are taking place, particularly in the IT industry.

PCG urges Chancellor to repeal IR35 and remove barriers to freelancing in Budget ‘09

7 April 2009: PCG, which represents the UK’s freelancers, has made its submission to this year’s Budget, calling on the Chancellor “not to let the ‘tax tail’ wag the ‘business dog’”.
PCG chairman, Chris Bryce, commented: “Freelancers have an important part to play in the economic recovery of the United Kingdom. The flexibility, skill, and knowledge they provide will be instrumental in meeting the needs of businesses, generating future wealth for the economy. Therefore the tax and regulatory burdens upon them must be removed.

PCG welcomes Commons Early Day Motion on IR35

23rd March 2009:  PCG, www.pcg.org.uk, which represents the UK's freelancers, has welcomed Liberal Democrat MP Lorely Burt's Early Day Motion to remove unnecessary barriers to enterprise and abolish IR35 at the earliest opportunity.

The Motion comes just weeks after the measure marked its tenth anniversary.  Over the last ten years, PCG has continuously appealed to Government to admit its mistake and repeal one of Gordon Brown's most ill conceived tax laws ever.

Out of work freelancers given a helping hand by PCG

PCG, which represents the UK's freelancers, has published a new guide to claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for freelancers and contractors.

"In these difficult economic times, it is essential that all freelancers who wish to access the support available to them from the benefits system are able to do so," commented PCG's managing director, John Brazier. "Regrettably, eligibility rules are particularly complex for freelancers, to the point where there is confusion over whether they are entitled to claim at all. PCG's guidance gives clear advice on freelancers' eligibility."

Freelancers rue Gordon Brown’s tax blunder on tenth anniversary

PCG, which represents the UK’s freelancers, has condemned the Government’s failure to abolish IR35 ahead of the measure’s tenth anniversary on Monday.

“PCG was formed by passionate and far-sighted freelancers who instantly recognised the harm that Gordon Brown’s IR35 proposal would inflict,” commented PCG’s chairman Chris Bryce. “Ten years on, they have sadly been proved right, and the unfairness of this measure remains evident.  In these times of economic difficulty, the Government should be doing everything it can to remove barriers to enterprise – this must include the abolition of IR35.”

PCG celebrates ten years of freelance representation

London, 26 February 2009: The Professional Contractors Group (PCG), www.pcg.org.uk, is celebrating ten years as the representative body for the UK's freelancers in March.

Over the last decade, there has been a 14% growth in the freelance sector and today there are 1.4 million freelancers working in the UK, all needing a voice and representation to ensure their concerns are heard and their way of working taken into account when legislation is passed by Government.

Freelancers warn HMRC over interest rates

PCG, which represents the UK's freelancers, has warned HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that taxpayers must not pay a higher interest rate when they owe money to the revenue compared to what HMRC themselves pay when they owe companies or individuals money.

High Court orders Larkstar IR35 case to be re-heard

PCG, which represents the UK’s freelancers, has today announced that the High Court has ordered the Larkstar IR35 case to be re-heard by the General Commissioners; the case is being backed by PCG.

“This case shows how important it is to have expert advice from the earliest stage,” commented PCG’s managing director John Brazier. “Larkstar’s owner Alan Brill did very well to win his case at the General Commissioners, but he now faces the prospect of having to go through it all again – only this time he will have the support of PCG’s expert advisers.”