https://uktech.org/author/pcg-founder/ Dispatches from the founding of the Professional Contractors Group and the freelance lobby's campaign against IR35. en-gb Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 newsdesk@uktech.org (UKTECH newsdesk) newsdesk@uktech.org https://uktech.org/a/freelancers-find-their-own-voice.html https://uktech.org/a/freelancers-find-their-own-voice.html Mon, 09 Jun 2003 11:58:00 +0000 PCG Founder UKTECH There is one person I want to represent my views to politicians and that's me. https://uktech.org/a/freelancer-consultation-week-two-opportunities.html https://uktech.org/a/freelancer-consultation-week-two-opportunities.html Wed, 28 May 2003 17:34:00 +0000 PCG Founder Political News The All Party Parliamentary Small Business Group - APPSBG - is now at week two of a three week online consultation process on freelancing. https://uktech.org/a/all-party-parliamentary-small-business-group-freelancer-briefing.html https://uktech.org/a/all-party-parliamentary-small-business-group-freelancer-briefing.html Tue, 06 May 2003 14:02:00 +0000 PCG Founder Political News The opportunities and threats facing freelancers received a political airing at a seminar organised by UKTECH, the UK's largest freelancer network, and… https://uktech.org/a/empowering-information-technology-to-work-for-smes.html https://uktech.org/a/empowering-information-technology-to-work-for-smes.html Thu, 01 May 2003 15:59:00 +0000 PCG Founder Political News This is a copy of the speech I gave at the National SME conference held on 28th April in the Grand Committee room, House of Commons. https://uktech.org/a/a-letter-that-dawn-might-consider-writing-soon.html https://uktech.org/a/a-letter-that-dawn-might-consider-writing-soon.html Thu, 01 May 2003 10:42:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 I noticed Geoff Jones from Arctic Systems posting to UKTECH today. https://uktech.org/a/reply-from-dawn-primarolo.html https://uktech.org/a/reply-from-dawn-primarolo.html Tue, 29 Apr 2003 19:26:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 UKTECH has received a copy of the response to Mark Prisk MP, Shadow Financial Secretary; from Dawn Primarolo MP, Paymaster General; concerning Section 660… https://uktech.org/a/update-on-section-660-from-peter-vaines-tax-expert.html https://uktech.org/a/update-on-section-660-from-peter-vaines-tax-expert.html Fri, 25 Apr 2003 16:20:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 Extract from Haarmann Hemmelrath UK TAX BULLETIN. https://uktech.org/a/details-of-possible-approach-to-section-660.html https://uktech.org/a/details-of-possible-approach-to-section-660.html Fri, 25 Apr 2003 16:15:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 Extract from Haarmann Hemmelrath UK TAX BULLETIN. https://uktech.org/a/prisk-asks-primarolo-to-explain-the-revenues-new-section-660-approach.html https://uktech.org/a/prisk-asks-primarolo-to-explain-the-revenues-new-section-660-approach.html Fri, 11 Apr 2003 15:48:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 The Shadow Financial Secretary questions why a wife's dividend income is being treated as her husband's, citing a 42,000 pound demand stretching back six… https://uktech.org/a/budget-2003-5-ir35-for-nannies.html https://uktech.org/a/budget-2003-5-ir35-for-nannies.html Wed, 09 Apr 2003 15:08:00 +0000 PCG Founder Political News IR35 was extended to cover domestic workers from today where they provide their services through a limited Company. https://uktech.org/a/small-business-political-group-examines-insurance.html https://uktech.org/a/small-business-political-group-examines-insurance.html Thu, 27 Mar 2003 14:41:00 +0000 PCG Founder Political News The All Party Parliamentary Small Business Group (APPSBG) held a packed public meeting at the House of Commons on Tuesday, March 25, 2003, to gather… https://uktech.org/a/section-660-briefing-document-and-update.html https://uktech.org/a/section-660-briefing-document-and-update.html Wed, 26 Mar 2003 18:00:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 Following this article I have been discussing the situation with several key players and UKTECH's tax expert, Kevin Miller, has produced a briefing… https://uktech.org/a/overseas-companies-get-round-the-removal-of-skill-shortage-list.html https://uktech.org/a/overseas-companies-get-round-the-removal-of-skill-shortage-list.html Tue, 25 Mar 2003 15:28:00 +0000 PCG Founder Viewpoint I noticed an article which reported on how an optical components company, Bookham Technologies is set to save £500,000 on "insourcing" IT helpdesk staff… https://uktech.org/a/revenue-fud-tactics-on-family-business.html https://uktech.org/a/revenue-fud-tactics-on-family-business.html Mon, 24 Mar 2003 11:47:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 The Inland Revenue is launching pre-emptive strikes on small, family businesses using an existing weapon in a way that was never intended. https://uktech.org/a/copy-of-seminar-paper-what-future-for-freelancing-in-the-uk.html https://uktech.org/a/copy-of-seminar-paper-what-future-for-freelancing-in-the-uk.html Tue, 04 Mar 2003 10:00:00 +0000 PCG Founder Conference Papers Copy of seminar paper to be presented at the House of Commons on March 4th 2003 at 1000 Hrs Following this draft consultation paper and the comments made… https://uktech.org/a/help-ensure-ir35-mk2-does-not-happen.html https://uktech.org/a/help-ensure-ir35-mk2-does-not-happen.html Thu, 16 Jan 2003 16:01:00 +0000 PCG Founder UKTECH The modern economy is all about "dis-intermediarisation". https://uktech.org/a/what-s-in-a-name-freelancing-or-contracting.html https://uktech.org/a/what-s-in-a-name-freelancing-or-contracting.html Tue, 10 Dec 2002 17:12:00 +0000 PCG Founder Viewpoint The term ‘Contractor’ owes its origins to the early 1980s when the then Government prevented agents engaging with sole traders. https://uktech.org/a/pbr-gordon-kills-ebt-schemes.html https://uktech.org/a/pbr-gordon-kills-ebt-schemes.html Wed, 27 Nov 2002 19:01:00 +0000 PCG Founder Business Following on from the UKTECH stories relating to Dignatio/CFP, the saga of EBT schemes took another twist in the Pre Budget Report when the Chancellor… https://uktech.org/a/composite-companies-should-you-use-them.html https://uktech.org/a/composite-companies-should-you-use-them.html Wed, 13 Nov 2002 08:41:00 +0000 PCG Founder Business In light of the recent problems with Contranet and CFP/Dignatio I have republished an article written by Lawyer Simon Hewes, published on the… https://uktech.org/a/a-tale-of-two-campaigns-ir35-vs-ftv.html https://uktech.org/a/a-tale-of-two-campaigns-ir35-vs-ftv.html Sun, 08 Sep 2002 10:24:00 +0000 PCG Founder Conference Papers Three years ago, I was about to launch a "dot.com" play when my Accountant sent me the IR35 press release. https://uktech.org/a/moving-on.html https://uktech.org/a/moving-on.html Sun, 08 Sep 2002 08:42:00 +0000 PCG Founder Business Over the last few months I have been reviewing where I want to be going with regard to my time with PCG. https://uktech.org/a/respect-trust-and-value-for-money.html https://uktech.org/a/respect-trust-and-value-for-money.html Mon, 05 Nov 2001 17:15:00 +0000 PCG Founder Viewpoint Several recent events in the contracting community have thrown these three key values into sharp relief and are proof positive, if any was required, of… https://uktech.org/a/online-what-s-new-for-tax-and-accountancy-professionals.html https://uktech.org/a/online-what-s-new-for-tax-and-accountancy-professionals.html Thu, 12 Apr 2001 12:15:00 +0000 PCG Founder Conference Papers Paper given at IT in Tax Conference London 20th November 2000. https://uktech.org/a/agencies-turn-on-rec-and-atsco-as-lawspeed-offers-to-lobby-the-dti.html https://uktech.org/a/agencies-turn-on-rec-and-atsco-as-lawspeed-offers-to-lobby-the-dti.html Sun, 18 Mar 2001 14:35:00 +0000 PCG Founder Agents Agencies at a Lawspeed seminar said REC and ATSCo had not represented them on the draft agency regulations, and are being offered representation to the… https://uktech.org/a/joe-consultant-answers-computing-s-anonymous-joe-contractor.html https://uktech.org/a/joe-consultant-answers-computing-s-anonymous-joe-contractor.html Fri, 09 Mar 2001 17:41:00 +0000 PCG Founder Viewpoint After an unnamed contractor defended IR35 in Computing, UKTECH publishes an equally anonymous consultant's account of how the legislation suits the large… https://uktech.org/a/regulation-doubts-push-andy-white-s-board-to-invest-in-the-usa.html https://uktech.org/a/regulation-doubts-push-andy-white-s-board-to-invest-in-the-usa.html Sun, 04 Mar 2001 08:50:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 Andy White says stakeholder pensions, agency regulations and IR35 took up a third of a board agenda, prompting his company to question a UK expansion and… https://uktech.org/a/confusion-and-chaos-reigns.html https://uktech.org/a/confusion-and-chaos-reigns.html Sat, 24 Feb 2001 13:54:00 +0000 PCG Founder Viewpoint Following on from the Computer People story about using IR35 to persuade clients to break direct contracts, UKTECH received an email from ASP Resourcing… https://uktech.org/a/pcg-welcomes-conservative-s-commitment-to-repeal-ir35.html https://uktech.org/a/pcg-welcomes-conservative-s-commitment-to-repeal-ir35.html Thu, 15 Feb 2001 09:11:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 The Professional Contractors Group welcomed the Conservative Party's commitment to repeal the stealth tax IR35. https://uktech.org/a/agency-regulations.html https://uktech.org/a/agency-regulations.html Sun, 04 Feb 2001 22:09:00 +0000 PCG Founder Agents First pass at an analysis of the final draft of the Agency regulations. https://uktech.org/a/managing-the-risks-associated-with-direct-contracting-staff.html https://uktech.org/a/managing-the-risks-associated-with-direct-contracting-staff.html Thu, 01 Feb 2001 11:52:00 +0000 PCG Founder Agents Following on from the story on Agency FUD, UKTECH has received a copy of a presentation sent into a client by Computer People (CP). https://uktech.org/a/agent-fud-part-ii.html https://uktech.org/a/agent-fud-part-ii.html Sun, 28 Jan 2001 12:52:00 +0000 PCG Founder Agents With regards to this issue I note the reaction to Agents. https://uktech.org/a/agent-fud.html https://uktech.org/a/agent-fud.html Sat, 27 Jan 2001 06:51:00 +0000 PCG Founder Agents For many clients the prime reason they use an Agency is they believe that it will protect them from the risk of the contractor claiming employment rights. https://uktech.org/a/leaving-the-uk-a-case-history.html https://uktech.org/a/leaving-the-uk-a-case-history.html Sat, 23 Dec 2000 09:30:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 Following UKTECH stories that reported on Patricia Hewitt and Jack Straw refuting that people were leaving the UK because of IR35, UKTECH has received… https://uktech.org/a/atscojobs-pad-out-their-site.html https://uktech.org/a/atscojobs-pad-out-their-site.html Tue, 12 Dec 2000 13:45:00 +0000 PCG Founder Agents UKTECH received an email which would indicate the number of jobs stated by atscojobs.com could be overstated. https://uktech.org/a/revenue-will-ask-agencies-to-supply-contractors-details.html https://uktech.org/a/revenue-will-ask-agencies-to-supply-contractors-details.html Tue, 12 Dec 2000 11:39:00 +0000 PCG Founder Agents In a story in July UKTECH described a news report which stated that the Revenue were to write to over 3000 agencies requesting details of payments made to… https://uktech.org/a/silicon-com-wins-interim-injunction-against-jobserve.html https://uktech.org/a/silicon-com-wins-interim-injunction-against-jobserve.html Tue, 05 Dec 2000 18:02:00 +0000 PCG Founder Agents silicon.com, publisher of ATSCOjobs.com, obtained an interim injunction in the Royal Courts of Justice restraining Jobserve from threatening to ban… https://uktech.org/a/atsco-silicon-win-an-injunction-against-jobserve.html https://uktech.org/a/atsco-silicon-win-an-injunction-against-jobserve.html Tue, 05 Dec 2000 07:46:00 +0000 PCG Founder Agents Jobserve have confirmed that Silicon have obtained a temporary injunction forcing them to take adverts from ATSCO members In an email to UKTECH Robbie… https://uktech.org/a/tony-distances-himself-from-debate.html https://uktech.org/a/tony-distances-himself-from-debate.html Tue, 05 Dec 2000 06:45:00 +0000 PCG Founder Political News The No ten forums are closing. https://uktech.org/a/atsco-threatens-jobserve-with-an-injunction.html https://uktech.org/a/atsco-threatens-jobserve-with-an-injunction.html Sun, 03 Dec 2000 17:42:00 +0000 PCG Founder Agents Following on from the UKTECH exclusive that ATSCo was about to launch a jobs board in competition with Jobserve, we have learnt that Robbie Cowling, MD of… https://uktech.org/a/beware-gm-employees.html https://uktech.org/a/beware-gm-employees.html Mon, 27 Nov 2000 11:49:00 +0000 PCG Founder Viewpoint There has been some concern in recent months and years about the unknown damage that can result from tampering with the natural order. https://uktech.org/a/agents-are-cannibals-says-atsco.html https://uktech.org/a/agents-are-cannibals-says-atsco.html Mon, 30 Oct 2000 15:40:00 +0000 PCG Founder Agents Concerned that the industry has relied on cannibalism to fill its staffing gaps , Agency rep body ATSCo has reached agreement with members that they will… https://uktech.org/a/the-times-commentary-on-the-jr.html https://uktech.org/a/the-times-commentary-on-the-jr.html Wed, 11 Oct 2000 08:10:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 Many UKTECH readers have been sending emails into the Times to help support their "scrap red tape" campaign. https://uktech.org/a/which-red-tape-would-you-cut.html https://uktech.org/a/which-red-tape-would-you-cut.html Fri, 06 Oct 2000 06:40:00 +0000 PCG Founder UKTECH The Times has launched a campaign to cut red tape. https://uktech.org/a/living-with-ir-35.html https://uktech.org/a/living-with-ir-35.html Tue, 03 Oct 2000 08:07:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 The ICAEW gave a lecture last night entitled "Living with IR 35". https://uktech.org/a/drive-petrol-tankers-and-help-build-an-enterprise-economy.html https://uktech.org/a/drive-petrol-tankers-and-help-build-an-enterprise-economy.html Sun, 01 Oct 2000 20:15:00 +0000 PCG Founder Viewpoint Whilst acres of newsprint were devoted to the Fuel protest, it was the fact that the Tanker drivers were self-employed that caught my eye. https://uktech.org/a/e-envoy-resigns-and-leaves-the-uk.html https://uktech.org/a/e-envoy-resigns-and-leaves-the-uk.html Tue, 05 Sep 2000 18:11:00 +0000 PCG Founder Political News The e-envoy has resigned. https://uktech.org/a/revenue-confirms-years-ahead-without-case-law.html https://uktech.org/a/revenue-confirms-years-ahead-without-case-law.html Fri, 11 Aug 2000 12:26:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 In a letter to a contractor the Inland Revenue has confirmed that no case law exists in relation to IR35 and that it needs to be established. https://uktech.org/a/where-your-tax-will-go.html https://uktech.org/a/where-your-tax-will-go.html Fri, 28 Jul 2000 18:36:00 +0000 PCG Founder Political News Following on from our story about the Prime Minister's personal web site No 10 web site, more news. https://uktech.org/a/no-10-web-site-ir-35-in-the-top-ten.html https://uktech.org/a/no-10-web-site-ir-35-in-the-top-ten.html Fri, 14 Jul 2000 14:35:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 Announcing the Government's report on their own performance Tony Blair talked of the need for Education, Education and Education. https://uktech.org/a/ir-35-website-links.html https://uktech.org/a/ir-35-website-links.html Fri, 14 Jul 2000 08:49:00 +0000 PCG Founder IR35 When I got my copy of IR 35 - Sent via email; headlined The end of Contracting in the UK - on 12th March 1999, I went onto the Internet to find out more.