Adverts to counter 'demonisation' of freelancers

by Susie Hughes at 10:11 06/03/12 (News on IR35)

Freelancer trade group, the PCG, is launching a national media advertising campaign to call on the Government to stop, what it describes as 'any further demonisation of their sector'.

Advertisement The four-week advertising campaign in the run up to this year's Budget is in response to the recent bad publicity surrounding one-man limited companies, after the case of the head of Student Loans Corporation, and others. Ed Lester and other senior Whitehall workers have been criticised in the press and Parliament for operating through their own limited companies in order to 'avoid tax'. The PCG said that this has led to 'hysteria' against the sector. John Brazier, Managing Director of PCG said: “Government is right to look closely at how public servants are being remunerated; we don’t dispute this at all. And as we have said before, where there is evidence of disguised employment or tax evasion it should be stopped and fully investigated by HMRC. “But distrust created by the Ed Lester case has impacted on the hundreds of genuine freelance, interim and contractor businesses who are working to benefit companies and organisations in both the public and private sectors. These are talent driven businesses often providing specialist expertise not available in-house. Used correctly these companies can not only save government and private businesses money, but help them solve short-term crisis with their input. Related links on Shout99 Contractor groups distance freelancers from public sector row - Feb 2012 So where's IR35 with public servants' limited companies? - Feb 2012 Civil servants' own companies impact on freelancers - Feb 2012 Review into Civil Servants' service companies - Feb 2012 “It’s not right that these businesses potentially face unwarranted attacks or loss of contracts. Quite simply we had to speak up using the tools available to us to redress the balance and ensure the hysteria does not cause those in power to make a snap judgement in eror that could damage growth for generations to come. The smallest businesses must be backed not bullied! “Our message is… To think big about UK growth, think small.” The PCG's advertising campaign is calling for the freelance sector to be respected as one of the key drivers of economic recovery. It will include over 30 adverts across nine papers and magazines reaching four million ‘views’ ahead of the Budget on March 21. It is aimed at Government, civil servants and the media, seeking 'to counter the demonisation of the role of limited companies and flexible working in the UK economy'. Tweet -- If you wish to comment on this article, please log in and use the Reply button below. Registering is free and easy - see 'Join Shout99'. - Susie Hughes © Shout99 2012

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