What I'd like to know.....

[vlc]

This recession is very likely to turnout to be a depression, and a long one too. So don't worry, it could get much worse... from around Autumn.
On the other hand, IT is probably one of the best areas to be in now.... we'll have it relatively easy.

[d000hg]

Why is paying £9,600 salary over 3 months?

[cykophysh39]

By the time you factor in Training, Education .pensions, Investments, Marketing, Insurance, PCG membership, Travel , Accountant fees, etc time on bench money.

£4400 Pound a month is poor for a contractor/Limited Company, away from home.

£200 a day is worth for a "Green" contractor making a break from permie dom. We are individuals with experience and knowledge to offer. At £200 you're basically saying I have a pair of hands that can just about manage typing on a keyboard.


The market is not that bad, when you say scrabbling for work, do you mean responding to adverts on Jobserve, is that the height of scrabbling.

I've been contracting for a long time now, I have built up long relationships with clients and agents a like. I ensure I stay in contact with them, and I always manage to find work through my network.

[Cheshire Cat]

Good for you. Since you won't be stooping to the £200 a day contracts, they will be available for those who want them. Everyone's happy.

[GardenGirl]

If you don't need the job why are you complaining about it?

You sound like you are in a very lucky position, not everyone else is so maybe you should consider this. I'm benched and £200 per day seems quite appealing to me as opposed to £0 per day.

Please let us know when you return to Earth!

[ukblokester]

gardengirl,just out of curiosity what are your skillsets? i would be really keen on knowing which ones are in demand and which ones arnt so much.

[gingerjedi]

If you work all year £200 a day is equivalent to an average bank mangers salary. Link

No need to be elitist just because you've done well for yourself.

[expat]

If you work all year £200 a day is equivalent to an average bank mangers salary. Link

Yeah, if you work 50 weeks of the year and have no other vacations, public holidays, absences, personal days off, bench time; and have no expenses whatever, and don't pay any empoyer NICs.

Where'd you learn arithmetic, Westminster?

[gingerjedi]

Yeah, if you work 50 weeks of the year and have no other vacations, public holidays, absences, personal days off, bench time; and have no expenses whatever, and don't pay any empoyer NICs.

Where'd you learn arithmetic, Westminster?

I did it for 3 years with only few weeks off, employer NICs are easily outweighed by NMW plus div on a Ltd basis.

If you look at the chart take 8 weeks bench time and another 4 in holidays you would still earn more than most bank managers outside of London.

The point I’m trying to make is what some people perceive as peanuts is a bloody good wage to most, perhaps top 20%? Certainly a lot more than average.

[zamzummim]

Why is thread still going ? Surely if one desires to stay as a contractor, and desperate for work then they’ll take whatever rate offered to ride the storm. Its not a long term strategy, when the market is better, then they’d increase their rates. I personally want to stay a contractor, don’t really want to apply for a permie role even if it paid better than the £200 per day. Lucky my current gig pays decent rates, but if I have to then I’ll take a low rate (near home) to tide me over until things get better, this is still a much better option that committing to a permie role (IMO that is).