Strange interview request. Is this normal?

[Relaxed]

My limited company have been contacted by an agent regarding a contract in public sector for a face to face interview in five hours driving distance. The client never spoke to me over Skype or phone and refused to do so on my request. They want me to come at certain day and confirmed they will not pay travel expenses. The rate they offer is nothing special.
Is this a normal practice in public sector or is my company just being invited for statistics/regulations reasons?
Would you travel there spending two days and couple of hundred quid in those conditions?

[ChimpMaster]

I wouldn't do it, based on the fact that I don't want to work 5 hours away from home!

But I would also turn down the interview because if you're going to commit to the travel and a specific time, then the least they should do is cover your expenses. I've also known government departments to just perform dummy interviews so as to tick some regulatory boxes, while all the time they have already chosen a person for the job.

Though ultimately I guess it depends how desperate you are for a contract right now, but it doesn't sound like you need that kind of hassle.

[Mincepie]

Tell them to poke it!

[GB9]

If NLUK reads this you are mincemeat.

You are supposed to be in business (unless you are volunteering to be inside ir35).

Why should a potential client pay for you to try and win some work? It is a risk you take. You may waste your time and money. Do you want it or not?

[northernladuk]

If you aren't willing to drive down for an interview what are you going to do if you get the gig? Are you prepared to work away from home? Have you thought beyond that?

IMO the best thing to do is forget this one, sit at home and wait for something nice and easy to fall in your lap and leave this one to proper contractors that know what they are doing and willing to attend fully prepared for all outcomes.

[SimonMac]

Nothing unusual about this, you want a job so you have to interview for it, why would they pay you to interview?! Some places do pay expenses for interview but this is very rare, you are a business, sometimes it cost's money to make money!

[SlipTheJab]

If you aren't willing to drive down for an interview what are you going to do if you get the gig? Are you prepared to work away from home? Have you thought beyond that?

IMO the best thing to do is forget this one, sit at home and wait for something nice and easy to fall in your lap and leave this one to proper contractors that know what they are doing and willing to attend fully prepared for all outcomes.

And here was me thinking you'd go easy during the festive season! (BTW wheres the Dredd pic with the xmas hat?)

[Cirrus]

My limited company have been contacted

When did you ever hear of a limited company being given expenses to make a sales call

[GB9]

And here was me thinking you'd go easy during the festive season! (BTW wheres the Dredd pic with the xmas hat?)

I thought that was the festive reply! Very tame by recent standards.

[SueEllen]

If it's 5 hours you can drive there and back on the same day.

Just make sure you make stops for a break both ways.