Avance

I have just been informed by HCL that I can go back to working through my Limited Company/PSC if I wish.

On 10th February 2020, Avance sent out emails on behalf of HCL. They stated that contractors would be individually assessed. I was never assessed. However on 24th February, they sent out emails stating that no contractor could offer services via a PSC. Contractors were given a until COB on 27th to decide to go inside IR35 via a FSA approved umbrella company or contracts are terminated by the end of March 2020 or sooner. Avance have already starting sending out termination emails. I'm not sure how many projects will suffer. But Avance have approached me and others for inside IR35 work at HCL and contractors have increased their day rates by 40%,. A blanket ban on PSC will cost the end client in my opinion.

Blanket ban. They sent an email with a 2 days deadline to decide if accepting going through umbrella or not.

From HCL... "HCL and its client will not be able to accept the CEST’s tool’s outputs to deem a worker outside of IR35". "a group wide decision has been made by HCL not to undertake IR35 assessments and move workers onto the payroll via Umbrella companies". "HCL will not increase rates to compensate for any increased tax liabilities that you may face". "Should you wish to not provide your services via the above umbrella companies, you must be engaged through a Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) approved umbrella company."

Blanket ban, no discussions. Email with 2 days notice to respond.

They sent an email that will start doing an assessment on a contractor basis. From the email the most likely output is that they will force everybody to be on PAYEE.

Incorrect CEST 20/12 in process of appealing now agency has said will not deal with PSC after the end of February and given notice trying to bully into Umbrella. So walking away end f Feb.