What do you think will happen to agencies next April?

[The Spartan]

In a way, won't affect me as much as others. I never take gigs that I can't commute to daily. So, even though there's some affect its not as bad as others who stay over.

We don't exactly live in a place known for being a contracting hotbed

Current gig is my first near home in 4 years

[MicrosoftBob]

It will certainly increase the desire for home working on contracts, and that's one thing clients often will negotiate over

[The Spartan]

It will certainly increase the desire for home working on contracts, and that's one thing clients often will negotiate over

I certainly hope so, it'd make it a lot easier for me if I could just work from the home office for the majority of the contract(s).

[psychocandy]

We don't exactly live in a place known for being a contracting hotbed

Current gig is my first near home in 4 years

This is true matey. But I think Im slightly closer to the 'Dark Place' than you are..... :-)

Maybe I'm lucky then - never had to take a gig where I stayed away more than the odd night. (And 2 in the last five years have been in the homeland)

[psychocandy]

I certainly hope so, it'd make it a lot easier for me if I could just work from the home office for the majority of the contract(s).

Perfect. Jeremy Kyle, Loose women, quick kip, Homes under the Hammer......

[Contreras]

So where does that leave the traditional contractors? I think you will be ok but everyone will have to adapt. In a lot of senses contractors haven't helped themselves in recent years, claiming to be outside of IR35 and then seeking protection under the Employment Agency Regulations looks like a paradox too far in terms of demonstrating independence, and whilst currently all legally correct, has served to stir the beast. Going forward I think that we will move to a much more project based world (think back to when IR35 first came in) and less time and materials security.

Andy, Thank you for sharing your perspective on this. The conclusion emboldened above would not be a bad thing IMHO, though I'm curious how you arrive at that because to the rest of us collectively I think the future looks very uncertain at the moment. Also what changes can you foresee to the way client HR and 'employment' agencies will handle the engagement of contractors in future compared to now?

[eek]

Andy, Thank you for sharing your perspective on this. The conclusion emboldened above would not be a bad thing IMHO, though I'm curious how you arrive at that because to the rest of us collectively I think the future looks very uncertain at the moment. Also what changes can you foresee to the way client HR and 'employment' agencies will handle the engagement of contractors in future compared to now?

I think the answer is they don't know but a way will be found and very rapidly that way will become the industry standard...

[SlipTheJab]

Agree with the WFH aspect, a good internet connection and tools like Skype/WebEx etc make it easier. I'm currently WFH pretty much full time and only go into the office when I need or choose to. Commute is 5 seconds and T&S costs negligle :-)

[Yonmons]

When/IF T&S goes for Contractors thats me done travelling, only local gigs from then on. Over the 15 yrs I have been contracting I have seen rates consistantly fall. I am with a large Corporate Bank at the moment, 4th time i have contracted here, each time on a lower rate. In fact the gig I am on at the moment was being off shored until the team of 4 agreed to cut cost, 2 contractors jumped ship and went permie locally, the remaining 2 took a rate cut, got overworked and I was invited back. I commute 108 miles a day in my car, spend 9rs on site, with a 3hr plus commute a day. I also get my sad aris out of my pit at 4.20 a.m. to get here for a 6.30 start. the only thing that got me here was the 45ppm, and that wont last long at this rate before I hit 10,000 and it drops to 20, I also claim the £10 per day Subs, (2 meals) I am running right on the edge of it being worth while. If it wasnt for the T&S I wouldnt be doing it. Course HMRC think we are all twisting little sods ragging the system. Getting something for nothing that a permies dont get. Well I for one dont know any permies here commuting 108 miles a day.
Next job to fill in the survey. I feel that the way this government and HMRC are going we may well be drinking in the last chance saloon. We are easy targets ripe for the taking.

[SueEllen]

@Yonmons it's worth writing to your MP about the T&S.

IPSE has a letter but to be honest you should edit to concentrate on T&S and to point out that the work would go abroad.