Fast-track visas fuel disquiet
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE GOVERNMENT has been accused of stupidity over its planned scheme to bring in IT specialists from Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe and give them quick-and-easy visas and work permits, writes Jason Nisse.
The Department for Education and Employment is currently working on plans for fast-track visas, and it is expected that Margaret Hodge, the Employment Minister, will make an announcement about the scheme early next year.
The move comes just as the Treasury and the Inland Revenue are consulting on the IR 35 proposals, which were announced in the last Budget. These aim to close the loophole through which freelance workers avoid paying National
Insurance by setting themselves up as limited companies. The proposals' main target are IT contractors who often claim they are freelance, despite working for only one employer.
The plans have been widely attacked by industry bodies, contractors and the Conservative Party, which attempted to orchestrate a revolt against the move in the House of Lords. Dawn Primarolo, the Paymaster General, has agreed to tone down some of the more controversial elements of IR 35.
However, the Professional Contractors Group (PCG), the trade body of IT experts, says that concerns about IR 35 are making skilled computer specialists leave in droves. A survey of the group's membership found that a third were considering leaving the UK because of the new rules.
Ms Primarolo, in a letter to a computer magazine, defended IR 35, saying that it "cannot be right for someone earning pounds 100,000 a year to hide behind the corporate structure of a limited company and pay less tax and National Insurance".
Susie Hughes of the PCG was shocked at the fast-track visas development. "It is ironic when most leading IT contractors are taking themselves out of the country," she said.
Ian Peters, deputy director general of the British Chamber of Commerce, said: "We have one government department attacking IT contractors and another trying to deal with a skills shortage."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments