Contractors: IR35 & general discussion
Discussion
CzechItOut said:
Can I apply for Security Clearance myself or does it have to be via a client? If I can, has anyone done it and is it a ballache?
Has to be via a client. Bit of a ballache if you've received large sums of money from a Russian for just being a nice guy.The job may ask for a clearance but shouldn't require it, albeit that you'd be at the back of the queue without it.
Olivera said:
We've been over this ground many times, but number of clients and length of contract is insignificant when assessing IR35 status.
Running concurrent projects for different clients might not be a de facto get out clause but when any employees are tied in with exclusivity contracts it’s certainly an indication of being in business and is a defence argument I would use personally.Most professional employees saying “I’m not available these days I’m working for another client” would result in disciplinary action / dismissal.
I’m running projects for 5 different clients currently without any agencies and they are all firmly outside, and I’d be very confident of dismissing any claim otherwise.
SMG Eddie said:
rustyuk said:
Really hoping for a quick recovery post covid.
Contracting's a dead duck, accept it. Been on benefits since and I've no plans of coming off 'em. I'm in systems administration / engineering /devops, and whilst things have gone quiet, there are still gigs available.
In times of uncertainty there can be a benefit to using contractors as they can be dropped at a moment's notice.
I remember the time when the Conservatives said they were going to cancel IR35. Politicians par for the course, as long as they get lots of lucrative 'appointments' and fake directorships after their political career has stopped, they couldn't care less. To dim to see that the colossal amount of knowledge the core of contractors had that has/will be lost to the country, brilliant now we've cut loose from the EU. Remind me who GKN flogged off the Aerospace Engineering Services to. Quest. HQ in Singapore. BAE flogged the UK's share of Airbus as well.
markyb_lcy said:
SMG Eddie said:
rustyuk said:
Really hoping for a quick recovery post covid.
Contracting's a dead duck, accept it. Been on benefits since and I've no plans of coming off 'em. I'm in systems administration / engineering /devops, and whilst things have gone quiet, there are still gigs available.
In times of uncertainty there can be a benefit to using contractors as they can be dropped at a moment's notice.
Lots of transition and change now to adapt to the new normal = more projects.
It’s a difficult situation for many. Last year was bad (certainly for me) due to IR35, brexit and the election. I took an FTC in March just as lockdown commenced. It comes to an end in September (covid makes it unlikely that they will extend me). Bizarrely IR35 suddenly makes FTCs attractive.
I meet many contractors who will take any rate to work right now and don’t care if it’s an inside or outside scenario. Met one who generally charges about £500 in quite junior engagements. He is now hoping to gain a government engagement at under £150 a day - probably a lot less than the equivalent perm role.
I meet many contractors who will take any rate to work right now and don’t care if it’s an inside or outside scenario. Met one who generally charges about £500 in quite junior engagements. He is now hoping to gain a government engagement at under £150 a day - probably a lot less than the equivalent perm role.
768 said:
CzechItOut said:
Can I apply for Security Clearance myself or does it have to be via a client? If I can, has anyone done it and is it a ballache?
Has to be via a client. Bit of a ballache if you've received large sums of money from a Russian for just being a nice guy.The job may ask for a clearance but shouldn't require it, albeit that you'd be at the back of the queue without it.
You can apply for DBS check yourself, but that's pretty low level.
Pit Pony said:
768 said:
CzechItOut said:
Can I apply for Security Clearance myself or does it have to be via a client? If I can, has anyone done it and is it a ballache?
Has to be via a client. Bit of a ballache if you've received large sums of money from a Russian for just being a nice guy.The job may ask for a clearance but shouldn't require it, albeit that you'd be at the back of the queue without it.
You can apply for DBS check yourself, but that's pretty low level.
But they all do and to be honest, it shows you where everyone stands, whats the point in wasting peoples time applying for SC roles they won't get as the end client wants someone asap rather than say the best person for the job.
I've seen some contracts advertised that they will wait for the right person if that involves them getting SC, at least you know you're in with a chance then.
I've started SC contracts on a 'waiver' before whereby the client takes the risk and agrees you can start before your full SC comes through.
Whilst on the SC subject, mine is about to expire shortly (one year since finishing last SC role), does the fact I've had it before mean it gets fast-tracked should I get another SC role in the future ?
They’re not supposed to ask for clearance but blatantly do because there’s zero comeback on them and it saves months.
I’m finding permie life OK, bit of a break from having to drive work myself. Financial situation isn’t hugely different as I didn’t tend to rinse money anyway. Struggling with having to book holiday in advance rather than just take days when I felt like it and workload allowed, nice to get paid for training and conferences, glad to be rid of never ending legislation and taxation changes. Swings and roundabouts really,
If I changed role again then I’d look at perm and contracts, picking based on the role and organisation rather than how they decided to pay for it.
I’m finding permie life OK, bit of a break from having to drive work myself. Financial situation isn’t hugely different as I didn’t tend to rinse money anyway. Struggling with having to book holiday in advance rather than just take days when I felt like it and workload allowed, nice to get paid for training and conferences, glad to be rid of never ending legislation and taxation changes. Swings and roundabouts really,
If I changed role again then I’d look at perm and contracts, picking based on the role and organisation rather than how they decided to pay for it.
Bluedot said:
Pit Pony said:
768 said:
CzechItOut said:
Can I apply for Security Clearance myself or does it have to be via a client? If I can, has anyone done it and is it a ballache?
Has to be via a client. Bit of a ballache if you've received large sums of money from a Russian for just being a nice guy.The job may ask for a clearance but shouldn't require it, albeit that you'd be at the back of the queue without it.
You can apply for DBS check yourself, but that's pretty low level.
But they all do and to be honest, it shows you where everyone stands, whats the point in wasting peoples time applying for SC roles they won't get as the end client wants someone asap rather than say the best person for the job.
I've seen some contracts advertised that they will wait for the right person if that involves them getting SC, at least you know you're in with a chance then.
I've started SC contracts on a 'waiver' before whereby the client takes the risk and agrees you can start before your full SC comes through.
Whilst on the SC subject, mine is about to expire shortly (one year since finishing last SC role), does the fact I've had it before mean it gets fast-tracked should I get another SC role in the future ?
The first, the position went away due to redundancies internally and the second, I've been waiting 2 months for SC clearance to be submitted. I applied last October, was told in June that that wanted me, and they expected to start submitting Clearance applications by End of July.
If I start before Feb 21 it will be a miracle.
I start somewhere else on Thursday. DBS check sufficient. Took 2 days.
Was very quiet in area I specialise in, but just about to start a new contract to design and build a migration tool for one of the banks. Last 4 weeks has seen a decent uptick in opportunities after being absolutely dead from April onwards. Also talking to one of the Dutch banks so might be able to get a toofer 
I’m waiting for a security clearance.
Problem is government uksv office. They have decided they can’t possibly go to work due to Covid, so are not accepting any applications. Who knows when they will actually work again, despite being on full pay of course.
Everyone else, we are constantly told, should be going back to work, and are. They need to practice what they preach themselves and get the f@&k back to work themselves....
So the government have deliberately left out ltd company directors from any reasonable amount of furlough, knowing how all companies are set up. Never mind, I dont need it, as I sourced my own contract back in May. I can earn my own money rather than sucking out taxpayers money sat in my garden all summer, allowing me to spend money in the local buisness that so need it.
But no, the government themselves are stopping me earning money because they refuse to go back to work to even send out and process forms whilst insisting everyone else gets back to work.
You could make it up, total f@&kwits., the lot of them.
How much out of 10 for that rant!
Problem is government uksv office. They have decided they can’t possibly go to work due to Covid, so are not accepting any applications. Who knows when they will actually work again, despite being on full pay of course.
Everyone else, we are constantly told, should be going back to work, and are. They need to practice what they preach themselves and get the f@&k back to work themselves....
So the government have deliberately left out ltd company directors from any reasonable amount of furlough, knowing how all companies are set up. Never mind, I dont need it, as I sourced my own contract back in May. I can earn my own money rather than sucking out taxpayers money sat in my garden all summer, allowing me to spend money in the local buisness that so need it.
But no, the government themselves are stopping me earning money because they refuse to go back to work to even send out and process forms whilst insisting everyone else gets back to work.
You could make it up, total f@&kwits., the lot of them.
How much out of 10 for that rant!
ITP said:
I’m waiting for a security clearance.
Problem is government uksv office. They have decided they can’t possibly go to work due to Covid, so are not accepting any applications. Who knows when they will actually work again, despite being on full pay of course.
Everyone else, we are constantly told, should be going back to work, and are. They need to practice what they preach themselves and get the f@&k back to work themselves....
So the government have deliberately left out ltd company directors from any reasonable amount of furlough, knowing how all companies are set up. Never mind, I dont need it, as I sourced my own contract back in May. I can earn my own money rather than sucking out taxpayers money sat in my garden all summer, allowing me to spend money in the local buisness that so need it.
But no, the government themselves are stopping me earning money because they refuse to go back to work to even send out and process forms whilst insisting everyone else gets back to work.
You could make it up, total f@&kwits., the lot of them.
How much out of 10 for that rant!
Only 8 out 10, as way too low on the f@*ks count Problem is government uksv office. They have decided they can’t possibly go to work due to Covid, so are not accepting any applications. Who knows when they will actually work again, despite being on full pay of course.
Everyone else, we are constantly told, should be going back to work, and are. They need to practice what they preach themselves and get the f@&k back to work themselves....
So the government have deliberately left out ltd company directors from any reasonable amount of furlough, knowing how all companies are set up. Never mind, I dont need it, as I sourced my own contract back in May. I can earn my own money rather than sucking out taxpayers money sat in my garden all summer, allowing me to spend money in the local buisness that so need it.
But no, the government themselves are stopping me earning money because they refuse to go back to work to even send out and process forms whilst insisting everyone else gets back to work.
You could make it up, total f@&kwits., the lot of them.
How much out of 10 for that rant!
ITP said:
I’m waiting for a security clearance.
Problem is government uksv office. They have decided they can’t possibly go to work due to Covid, so are not accepting any applications. Who knows when they will actually work again, despite being on full pay of course.
Everyone else, we are constantly told, should be going back to work, and are. They need to practice what they preach themselves and get the f@&k back to work themselves....
So the government have deliberately left out ltd company directors from any reasonable amount of furlough, knowing how all companies are set up. Never mind, I dont need it, as I sourced my own contract back in May. I can earn my own money rather than sucking out taxpayers money sat in my garden all summer, allowing me to spend money in the local buisness that so need it.
But no, the government themselves are stopping me earning money because they refuse to go back to work to even send out and process forms whilst insisting everyone else gets back to work.
You could make it up, total f@&kwits., the lot of them.
How much out of 10 for that rant!
Most civil servants have haven’t stopped working throughout lockdown. Company directors my arse. More like one man band employees.Problem is government uksv office. They have decided they can’t possibly go to work due to Covid, so are not accepting any applications. Who knows when they will actually work again, despite being on full pay of course.
Everyone else, we are constantly told, should be going back to work, and are. They need to practice what they preach themselves and get the f@&k back to work themselves....
So the government have deliberately left out ltd company directors from any reasonable amount of furlough, knowing how all companies are set up. Never mind, I dont need it, as I sourced my own contract back in May. I can earn my own money rather than sucking out taxpayers money sat in my garden all summer, allowing me to spend money in the local buisness that so need it.
But no, the government themselves are stopping me earning money because they refuse to go back to work to even send out and process forms whilst insisting everyone else gets back to work.
You could make it up, total f@&kwits., the lot of them.
How much out of 10 for that rant!
wormus said:
Most civil servants have haven’t stopped working throughout furlough. Company directors my arse.
I'm guessing but I'm aware that some part of Government are having problems because they're not geared up for paperless working or remote working. For example if they have a Customer Service Centre they've not been able to route calls to peoples homes in order for them to answer them, or the person answering the phone cant route the inbound call to the right Department (because there's nobody there)Similarly a lot of Govt Bureaucracy still requires wet signatures and hard copy documents to be posted in. The problem is that offices in london are closed and there will be a skeleton staff who will take in mail but not necessarily sort it/scan it/email it to the right department.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff