IT contractors come out in support of PCG

IT contractors have put their whole-hearted support behind the Professional Contractors Group (PCG), even though the organisation paid nearly £750,000 in fees last year to companies owned by some of its most senior figures (http://www.silicon.com/a53092 ).

Our story provoked some impassioned response. Here are a few of the best reader comments...

From : Andy Gray
Comment Title : Thank you for pointing this out but...
The service and support I get from the PCG has been second to none and worth many times the membership fee. I was an early joiner... and believe the money to be well spent. I agree at first light the figures may concern some but I am more concerned with results.

From: Anon
Comment Title : Accuracy Is always important in journalism...
Vested interest noted (I'm a member of the PCG, not a director I hasten to add).

It's important to understand some of the history of the PCG before leaping to the conclusion that its sole aim and benefit is to enrich a small number of people.

Andy White spotted the IR35 press release, realised its potential impact and modified his own venture (engineerjob.com I think) to instead focus upon getting it removed/repealed. From that work the 14,000 person membership of the PCG was reached.

Webtastic currently supply not only the website, but the entire administration and support to the membership. It would be most incorrect to assume the Andy White is taking home £500K a year from the PCG - that money is paying for a number of full-time employees, hosting and, in the case of the Judicial Review, 24/7 support and advice.

Neither Susie Hughes, Andy White or Kevin Miller are currently directors of the PCG. The current board of directors was recently elected in an open vote available to the entire membership. They bear full legal responsibility for the organisation and control where the money goes. In their opinion the PCG gets good value for money from the arrangement with Webtastic and PCG members have full access to the accounts online.

The implied slur in the story is unbecoming of silicon.com's reporting and it's a shame you've bitten on the bait.

From : Anon.
Comment Title : If it's working who cares?
So far the PCG seem to be succeeding in delivering what is paid for, a steady drip feed of IR35 stories to the press to ensure that it isn't forgotten (Ian Duncan Smith's mention of IR35 in his budget response was particularly welcome.)

This drip, drip, drip approach, coupled with a robust case law strategy, may produce results. Not a repeal (which would involve a loss of face for the government) but a steady erosion to the point where it does become an 'optional tax'. Remember the art of taxation is to get the maximum amount of feathers of the minimum of hissing. The PCG is there to provide the maximum hissing and to do so in the most cost effective manner. The current arrangement seems to be delivering this quite well.

If it stops working, the PCG members are quite capable of voting with their wallets, as happened with the Judicial Review.