IT Contracting since 1993

[BrilloPad]

What was contracting like 87-93 outta of interest? When I arrived in 93 IT was starting to kick off and there were a lot of jobs around, well in the city of London anyway. in 93 I don't think there were that many IT companies/jobs around Reading etc back then.

1990-1992 was tough. Back in 1986 £150 a day was common. It was about £220 by 1989. It was then static until 1992. Then it rocketed.

[Manic]

Salaries have risen quicker elsewhere. the US especially. The economy will be fubared if they do here, everyone is so used to paying the same costs for the last 10 years we'll all be saying "how much?!!!!
"

[canoas]

Oct '87 here, but a lot of what he said rings true.

What was contracting like 87-93 outta of interest? When I arrived in 93 IT was starting to kick off and there were a lot of jobs around, well in the city of London anyway. in 93 I don't think there were that many IT companies/jobs around Reading etc back then.

[Lockhouse]

I started October 1988. And I bet a few here have got many more years on me.

Oct '87 here, but a lot of what he said rings true.

[BrilloPad]

I started October 1988. And I bet a few here have got many more years on me.

[cojak]

It's comes to an end! I came over to the London, UK in 1993 from NZ on my big OE, intended to travel around Europe for 2 years and work part time, well 26 years later I am married to an EU citizen (not UK), kids.....and it's sadly coming to an end. I must say the most affluent years in the UK for IT contractors were between 1993 -2001. I can remember my 1st job at Banker Trust for £35ph doing mainframe stuff. It was so ridiculous, people were getting paid £500-£800 sometimes a day for not knowing much 1996-2000 or sometimes doing little, economy was thumping strong, the city was exciting and fun, late night parties. Huge Xmas parties I remember once Swiss Bank hosted Hot Chocolate as their Xmas band with thousands of people. Tax benefits were good as a contractor. Then after 09/11 things suddenly dropped very quickly, most weren't employed but then about 2 years after things started picking up again, then dropped in 2009 in the financial crisis and have never recovered since. Sad but true!

With these stupid IR35 laws it's now for me depart, well that's the plan. To my retreat in Majorca that I've had since 2003. in my 50's now I'm going to do some remote consulting, I have a EU passport as well. I have noticed a lot of NZ/Aus/SA have left the UK. Modern world has changed no longer were the days of backpacking around Europe for a laugh and earning money as an part time accountant or a IT Contractor. They have left for the reason of IR35 and economy has weakened they are not stupid they are not coming here to be earning less money in a expensive city and they are not here to work full time. I can't see UK attracting NZ/Aus to come to the UK for what benefit? when they can go to US or Canada for way more money and way more benefits which is happening at a rapid rate, especially coming here..... now a shaky island. And Boris's points system, up yours mate!

I remember all the good times, yep they were amazing. London has changed a lot and I've spent most of my life here but it's time to get out, I can see things getting a lot worse.

And I must say Tony Blair years were the best, the economy was super strong, not saying I like him at all!

Ciao my friends!

Tar-ra and don’t let the door hit yer arse on the way out...

[canoas]

It's comes to an end! I came over to the London, UK in 1993 from NZ on my big OE, intended to travel around Europe for 2 years and work part time, well 26 years later I am married to an EU citizen (not UK), kids.....and it's sadly coming to an end. I must say the most affluent years in the UK for IT contractors were between 1993 -2001. I can remember my 1st job at Banker Trust for £35ph doing mainframe stuff. It was so ridiculous, people were getting paid £500-£800 sometimes a day for not knowing much 1996-2000 or sometimes doing little, economy was thumping strong, the city was exciting and fun, late night parties. Huge Xmas parties I remember once Swiss Bank hosted Hot Chocolate as their Xmas band with thousands of people. Tax benefits were good as a contractor. Then after 09/11 things suddenly dropped very quickly, most weren't employed but then about 2 years after things started picking up again, then dropped in 2009 in the financial crisis and have never recovered since. Sad but true!

With these stupid IR35 laws it's now for me depart, well that's the plan. To my retreat in Majorca that I've had since 2003. in my 50's now I'm going to do some remote consulting, I have a EU passport as well. I have noticed a lot of NZ/Aus/SA have left the UK. Modern world has changed no longer were the days of backpacking around Europe for a laugh and earning money as an part time accountant or a IT Contractor. They have left for the reason of IR35 and economy has weakened they are not stupid they are not coming here to be earning less money in a expensive city and they are not here to work full time. I can't see UK attracting NZ/Aus to come to the UK for what benefit? when they can go to US or Canada for way more money and way more benefits which is happening at a rapid rate, especially coming here..... now a shaky island. And Boris's points system, up yours mate!

I remember all the good times, yep they were amazing. London has changed a lot and I've spent most of my life here but it's time to get out, I can see things getting a lot worse.

And I must say Tony Blair years were the best, the economy was super strong, not saying I like him at all!

Ciao my friends!