The PS, IR35 and GCloud

[eek]

That's not what you allude to doing though? Haven't you set yourself up on DOS and are going to be offering your wares for sale on there come January (if you get accepted)?

Nope.... I was setting up a consultancy which would be selling software add-ons - I've registered for DOS but won't be using it as anyone who has read all my posts will know that that's on hold for a bit while I do some contract work for one particular company (I'm still going to be selling the software, I'm just not providing the consultancy bit personally)...

And since June I've been clear its best to escape this train crash before it impacts you.... The only reason for me being on DOS is as an absolute last choice backup plan (you can't use it unless you are registered on it)...

[nucastle]

So, let's say we get our predicted nuclear winter of all standard BOS contractors fleeing the PS en masse.

Does this not leave a vacuum for anyone with the balls to register on DOS, bidding for and offering teams/outcomes to pick up the slack that might end up making its way on there, if the Government uses this framework for its intended purpose.

Clearly anyone in the 'one man band' contractor mindset is going to need to worry about IR35, but I'm (maybe naively) looking at this a means to expand operations, and DOS from the looks of it appears to be a way of doing that.

As this is a GCloud discussion, I'm looking at this as a place to discuss potential opportunities, rather than the other threads which are doing a good job of predicting the end of the world quite well.

[northernladuk]

That's not what you allude to doing though? Haven't you set yourself up on DOS and are going to be offering your wares for sale on there come January (if you get accepted)?

No good being in there if they don't use it to resource. PS are very structured and if they have a standard framework for bringing contingents in then that is what they will continue to do. Suppliers can't dictate their process just because of some tax changes, for now at least.

[northernladuk]

That's a message that I gave to The Times when they interviewed me after the budget in March this year - if I was in PS I would have left ASAP, and if I was out I wouldn't consider PS.

This is exactly what I did and how I see it now. There is plenty of work in the Private sector (for now). I find it a little bemusing the lengths some are going to to manufacture process the PS just won't use and attempt to stay. Can't help thinking if you are that desperate to stay in the PS then you must really be a pseudo employee and should be caught by this.

[eek]

I also don't suspect it will have much of a long term impact. Most people need to eat so won't leave in a rush when their pay is slashed in April / May until they find something else (and I suspect most won't find anything else). And those that do leave may find that they can't find other work so return to the public sector with their tail between their legs in September / October.

Ideally the above won't happen and it will be a great opportunity for specialists to raise rates but if I'm being honest it won't happen

[youngguy]

Yep thats going to be their process until they notice all their contractors are handing in their notice and walking off site. then they will have a rethink....

Indeed. I think eventually there will be 'workarounds' or rates will creep up. I think we might be looking the best part of a yr away though

[northernladuk]

Indeed. I think eventually there will be 'workarounds' or rates will creep up. I think we might be looking the best part of a yr away though

I'd put my money on it getting pulled or re-engineered before the deptartments start bucking their own processes tbh.

[youngguy]

Clearly anyone in the 'one man band' contractor mindset is going to need to worry about IR35, but I'm (maybe naively) looking at this a means to expand operations, and DOS from the looks of it appears to be a way of doing that.

.

What's this though?

If you are not a one man band and you want to 'get around' the new stuff you basically have to either take on staff (and pay them salaries regardless of whether you have work) or take on sub contractors ...and then they would have the paye tax and you'd be doing rti etc.

[youngguy]

I'd put my money on it getting pulled or re-engineered before the deptartments start bucking their own processes tbh.

If they do that I look forward to seeing what PR spin they go for give. How no expert has said this approach is a good idea.rjat'll be popcorn time

[northernladuk]

If they do that I look forward to seeing what PR spin they go for give. How no expert has said this approach is a good idea.rjat'll be popcorn time

Well so far it's looking just like how the BETs came, all-be-it quite a bit more serious but the way it's panned out so far it has more than a few similarities. Could be an awful comparison and assumption that is just plain wrong but only time will tell.