Contracting News

[AtW]

I don't think Osborne gives a flying tulip about it.

[Freamon]

In the wake of the budget? The budget isn't til March 21st??

[oscarose]

"A major media campaign has been launched by the UK’S leading contractor organisation. The aim of the campaign lies in the wake of the Budget and is designed to defend the contractor business from the negativity it gets over the use of limited companies.

The PCG wants contractors and freelancers to get much more recognition over the contribution that they make to the economy. There has been some bad press lately relating to one or two contractors and their misuse of limited companies but this should not be generalised.

A few weeks ago, the Ed Lester case saw the head of the Student Loans Company get remunerated via a personal service company as opposed to the payroll. A number of similar examples have recently surfaced. This has marred the reputation of professional limited companies.

There will now be 30 small adverts that will appear across 9 national newspapers with the tagline “To think big about UK growth, think small”. The overall aim is to influence the government and the media and change their attitude towards the freelance sector.

The MD of the contractors’ group, John Brazier, has said, “Distrust created by the Ed Lester case has impacted on the hundreds of genuine freelance interim and contractor businesses who are working to benefit companies and organisations in both the public and private sector.

“Quite simply we had to speak up using the tools available to us to redress the balance and ensure the hysteria does not cause those in power to make a snap judgement in error that could damage growth for generations to come.”