Oracle DBAs dropped from fast track visa shortage list
In this issue:
1. PCG Makes Progress On 'Fast Track Visa' List
2. PCG Supports Members to Commissioners - Update
3. PCG Members Tax Helpline Enhanced
4. PCG Elections
5. IR35 Toolkit Seminar Roadshow - Scotland
6. Erratum in Guide to Contracting
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1. PCG Makes Progress On 'Fast Track Visa' List
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The Professional Contractors Group (PCG) has successfully demonstrated to the Government that there is no skill shortage in Oracle Database Administrators and, as a result, it has been removed from the fast track visa list. This follows on from the PCG's success last year when other IT skills, including programming languages, Java, Perl and Visual Basic were also removed from the list.
The PCG became a member of the Government's Skills Sector Panel for IT in autumn last year. The panel advises what skills in the IT sector are in short supply and would be eligible for the issuing of fast track visas to overseas workers to meet a perceived need in the market-place.
Here
However, the PCG has demonstrated that many parts of the list are out-of-date and in other cases, the scheme has been open to misuse and abuse. The skill shortage list doesn't reflect the true situation, and the PCG has presented evidence to show that many of its members possessed the specific skills which were considered to be in short supply, yet were unable to find available work on contracts. It is continuing to campaign to make the scheme more indicative of the real situation.
The PCG is continuing to run two surveys about fast track visas:
On possible abuses of the system, and on specific skills on the skill shortage list. We will use the evidence collected to support the removal of skills from the shortage list and report specific episodes of abuse.
You can find more information on the campaign:
Here
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2. PCG Supports Members to Commissioners - Update
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As reported in the last PCG newsletter, PCG member Mark Sheerin has agreed to be a case study as the PCG supports his case through to the Commissioners to contest the Inland Revenue's determination of his IR35 status.
Mark is an IT consultant, operating through a limited company, of which he is the sole director. In March 2000, believing his contract would fall outside IR35, he sent a contract to the Inland Revenue contract review service to get their opinion. Three months later, the opinion came back - an IR35 fail. Mark decided not to accept this, and launched his challenge. Two years on the dispute is still not resolved.
You can read Mark's own view of his story in full, including the lessons learnt and what he would have done differently, Here
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3. PCG Members Tax Helpline Enhanced
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The PCG has arranged with Qdos Consulting to provide an improved PCG Tax Helpline, which will be the first point of contact for any tax related question from a PCG member.
Members may use the helpline for any tax related query large or small. When you do so, you can expect to be informed of all applicable PCG policy, guidance and inclusive cover free of charge!
Full details on the new service are available Here
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4. PCG Elections
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The PCG Elections for the Consultative Council continue, with voting closing at 5:00 pm on 18th April, 2002. Once again, you are urged to vote in these elections.
For more background info on the voting process, go Here
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5. IR35 Toolkit Seminar Roadshow - Scotland
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The IR35 Toolkit seminar roadshow visits Scotland in early May, giving those working north of the border the opportunity to attend this event. Speakers include some of the country's acknowledged experts in IR35, including Anne Redston from Ernst and Young, PCG's Kevin Miller and expert practitioners from Accountax and Qdos. The venues are Aberdeen on Wednesday 1 May, and Edinburgh on Thursday 2 May. Afternoon and evening sessions will be held in both venues. For further details, or to book online, go: Here
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6. Erratum in PCG Guide to Contracting
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PCG Associate Member SJD Accountancy has drawn our attention to a misprint on page 4 of the 2002 edition of the PCG Guide to Contracting. Under the heading 'How much do good accountants cost?' the figures quoted should have read £50-£100 +VAT per month.
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The Editor