Why every freelancer should join PCG...
The Professional Contractors Group (PCG) is the not-for-profit trade association protecting and promoting freelance contractors and consultants.
By joining forces as freelancers we create a powerful voice for the betterment of our industry. At the same time, like a cooperative, we create economies of scale. By pooling together a small investment each, all members enjoy increased returns thanks to the bulk discounts the group can achieve, for example the blanket insurance which protects all members in the event of a tax investigation.
Join PCG to benefit your industry environment
Do you believe that governments should be allowed to meddle in the marketplace?
Recent court high profile court cases involving freelancers shows how the Treasury can decide to qualify a particular freelance activity as ‘uncompetitive’ and re-interpret the legislation in an attempt to place an increased tax burden on people.
And it’s not just the UK Government we need to worry about. Brussels also wants its say. Did you know there’s a European Parliament Green Paper on employment law floating around that dismisses freelancing as a ‘non-standard’ way of working?
Politicians listen when large citizen groups speak out. As a lobbying force of 15,000 freelancers spearheaded by policy specialists, PCG has developed regular contact with key politicians to ensure your views are heard and your business interests considered in government.
With the combined experience of all our membership we can show the Government how sensible legislation can play a part in stimulating the freelance economy for the good of UK plc.
Join PCG to benefit your business
- You are automatically covered against the cost of a tax inspection. This could save you thousands of pounds of professional fees if you are faced with a tax inspection as a result of random trigger, or something you unwittingly do.
- Download essential contract templates to use with each client to ensure that you don’t end up paying a lot more tax unnecessarily due to IR35 and status regulations
- Call specialist tax and legal helplines for those answers your accountant can’t always give you, any time you need help navigating the pitfalls of the UK tax system, which is now considered to be one of the most complex in the world
- Access a library of essential guides to legislation as well as extensive member forums
- Benefit from the buying power of a 15,000 member organisation, which translates into discounts on a host of freelancer essentials, ranging from mortgages, healthcare, banking, cars, and many more
- If you’re a PCG Plus member, access the world-class Ashridge Virtual Learning Resource centre, enjoy protection against a PAYE Audit, get compensated if you get called up for jury service and if your agency goes bust or defaults on a contract.
“Our tax investigation case went all the way to the House of Lords – a massive undertaking which would have cost us hundreds of thousands of pounds. PCG put us in touch with their legal advisers who handled and won the case after a six year battle.
We strongly advise all micro-businesses of one or two people to join PCG. Members are covered by their Professional Expenses Insurance against the costs of tax investigations. Without PCG our business would have folded.” Geoff and Diana Jones, Arctic Systems Ltd, PCGPlus members
The government listens to us now that there are 15,000 of us. Imagine what we could achieve if all of the one million freelancers in the UK join together. How powerful we could be!
Go on, join up!
For more information on PCG membership options, click on the link that best describes you:
I’m a sole trader (PCG Solo membership)
I’m thinking of starting a limited company (PCG OneStop membership)
I already run a limited company (PCG Standard or Plus membership)
I’m looking into umbrella schemes (PCG Quality Umbrella)
I’m open to ideas (Decision flowchart)
If you have any questions call PCG on 0845 125 9899