In recent years it has seemed like the only certainty in the UK economy has been uncertainty. The current economic climate has seen fluctuations in all sectors and markets, not least in the freelance market.

In the first half of 2010 there appeared to be some cautious optimism returning to the market but with the jury still out on the Government’s recent budget and further public sector cuts to come how positive are you feeling about prospects for the upcoming months? Take part in the new PCG poll and let us know.

According to our latest poll, almost half of PCG members believe that LinkedIn is a vital tool for the modern freelancer. 

As part of PCG's efforts to combat the abuse of work permits displacing IT contractors, PCG has made a submission to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee.

In July and August PCG’s insurers paid out a total of £45,800 in compensation to seven PCG Plus members whose agencies defaulted.

PCG Plus membership, which costs £220 plus VAT per year, includes Agency Default Cover. Members can make a claim if their agency goes bankrupt, defaults on payment, or breaks the terms of a contract.

More information about PCG Plus >>

While the abolition of IR35 looks closer than ever, PCG urges members to remain vigilant as HMRC still appears to be pushing for face to face meetings with an ulterior motive.

PCG member David McKelvie reports that HMRC recently asked for an informal meeting to discuss the treatment of expenses and VAT on his newly formed company. During the meeting the officer produced a printout of one of Mr McKelvie’s websites and asked whether it was earning any undeclared income.  HMRC later sent minutes of the meeting, which accurately reflected the points that had been covered. The one surprise was the covering letter stating that he might be IR35 caught, even though nothing had been discussed at any point regarding contracts, clients or working arrangements. McKelvie believes the officer based the assumption on his mileage claims.

PCG's draft response to the Government's consultation on proposed 'annual limits' for migration is now online in the PCG forums for your input.

 Just over a quarter of PCG members believe that the Government’s new guidance on national security vetting will make it easier to apply for security cleared jobs according to our latest PCG poll. However, almost two thirds of members do not believe that the new guidance will make the job application process any easier.

Eight out of ten PCG members believe the Government’s new “Office of Tax Simplification” (OTS) is a good idea, according to our latest poll.

On 27th July a Prime Ministerial Statement was published setting out the new national security vetting policy framework – the first such statement since 1994. This includes more comprehensive guidance on personnel security and vetting policy than has previously been available.

As well as placing more information about the operation of the vetting system in the public domain and making the process more transparent, the new guidance states explicitly that no one should be expected to hold an existing security clearance to apply for a sensitive post, apart from in exceptional circumstances.

Remember the iconic Monty Python “Dead Parrot Sketch” where a shopkeeper and a rather angry customer argue over the status of a Norwegian Blue parrot?

It has become a part of Britain’s folklore as one of the most entertaining pieces of television ever. Generations have been in stitches as the two debate the health, or otherwise, of this once beautiful bird and have a good old ding-dong using many and varied euphemisms for death.

Well are we in the same situation over IR35.

Read more on the insidePCG blog...

The results are in for PCG's latest poll on the Government's recently announced plans to introduce an annual limit on migration. PCG members overwhelmingly (90%) voted in favour of applying the proposed 'cap' on migration to workers on "Intra Company Transfer" permits, which many PCG members allege are misused and abused.

Last week we sent out a membership discount voucher to members to forward to freelancers they knew who weren't PCG members yet in a drive to strengthen our voice. The stronger our voice, the more influence we’ll have.

The Government is consulting on its proposed “cap” on the number of non-EU migrants coming into the UK. PCG has been campaigning for many years to tighten the rules on “intra-company transfer” (ICT) work permits, which may be displacing large numbers of IT contractors. We will be preparing a response to this consultation and PCG members are also invited to respond to the consultation directly.

Contractors are to see a "permanent" change to the way they are taxed as part of a wider review of small business taxation.

Individuals selling their services through small companies have their taxable income policed by the so-called IR35 legislation.

PCG has prepared a detailed analysis of how this year's budget will affect freelancers, together with Anne Redston, Barrister and Visiting Professor in Law at King's College London.

The analysis covers the major announcements in the Chancellor's "red book" in detail including a further commitment to review IR35, changes to the small business rate of corporation tax, and other key policies.

Following the budget today (22nd June) we are interested to hear your views. 

Do you agree with the Chancellor George Osborne when he said this emergency budget was tough but fair?

PCG, in partnership with Small Business Europe, is pleased to announce the launch of their European Newsletter – a monthly email newsletter, aimed at freelancers, about developments in the European Union.

The results are in for PCG’s poll, asking whether you thought the new Coalition Government would be good for freelancers.

Chancellor George Osborne delivers his Emergency Budget on the 22nd June. But what will it mean for freelancers? Join us for comprehensive and insightful analysis . What will the red box contain this time for freelancers, in an era of austerity and cuts?

PCG will be providing live coverage at http://twitter.com/insidepcg from noon on the 22nd, with a panel including Head of Public Affairs Simon McVicker on hand to provide immediate comment.

PCG has responded positively to the recent Queen’s Speech, which outlined plans to make the tax system fairer and simpler. This included confirmation of the Government’s plan to create an ‘Office of Tax Simplification’ which is likely to oversee the upcoming review of the ‘IR35’ legislation.

PCG is delighted to have been shortlisted for the 2010 TAF Best Practice Awards.

Following the Goverrnment's announcement of a review of IR35, we have now amended our previous guidance on how to write your local MP.

The new Coalition Government has made a number of announcements regarding its future plans. In addition to publishing its full and final Programme for Government, the Queen's Speech has been delivered and numerous ministerial statements made. PCG is monitoring all the relevant news for freelancers. So far we have seen announcements on a number of policies relating to freelancers, including exciting developments on IR35.

Following an unprecedented period of political uncertainty after the election of the first hung parliament for decades, PCG welcomes the fact that the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats were able to put together a coalition to tackle the current economic crisis. 

We believe that the members of the new Government will work together to address the issues faced by freelancers.  In particular, we will encourage both parties to pursue the abolition or full review of the unfair IR35 tax, which hinders the ability of freelance workers to contribute to the UK’s economic recovery.

The Agency Workers Directive, a European measure which aims to give temporary “agency workers” equal rights compared to employees, is now on the statute book in the UK. It will be coming into force in October 2011. Guidance is currently being developed alongside the legislation, but thanks to PCG's lobbying, it currently appears that freelancers (apart from umbrellas) will be out of scope of this legislation.