SCC

Unfortunately I have just been phoned up by SCC and I have just been told that they are doing a blanket ban on all PSC contractors. I have worked with SCC on a number of different IT projects as a PSC contractor and I know that these contracts were/are outside the regulations due to a well written contract and the determination that my company has done using the CEST tool, but they are now doing what they tried last year and blanketing all roles. It is a really shame as they are going to lose so many good contractors. By the way during this call I was offered an inside IR35 role at nearly twice my current contracting rate and I simply refused. If we don't stand up to these companies behaving in this way then we are simply agreeing we are employees in disguise.

SCC blanket banned all PSC contractors and forced them to use umbrella firms at the start of the year. As of early October they Started bring back limited contractors. I don’t know if that’s because of the corona situation or if they are desperate for engineers, but I’ve got a contract with them via my limited company and I have made sure it’s outside IR35 using the CEST tool. I just hope they dont blanket again closer to April 2021

I was told today that any future projects taken on with them would have to be umbrella. They would not accept any PSCs with limited companies. I've been contracting with them as a PSC on and off for two years. Before the regulation started to hit I was told that all the contracts with SCC were outside and I used HMRCs CEST tool myself and it indicated that I was outside. I've had around 7 contracts with them (big and small) What really sucks about this is SCC is also a recruitment company who advices to other companies not to blanket ban PSC, but to treat them fairly. So they'll advice their customers not to blanket ban contactors, but when it comes to their contacts and their contractors they force them into umbrella companies.

They were given copies of original contract between myself and SCC which clearly stated MOO and Right To Substitute, given copy of CEST which was answered honestly and gave result Outside IR35 but fudged their response to ensure Inside IR35 Determination. Clearly playing it safe and in doing so have caused themselves issues that will delay projects due to contractors leaving. Atmosphere remains good as we are all very professional but all non-HR staff are disappointed to have to find new resource. I am frustrated as I went through the same issue in the Public sector - clearly the system is designed to produce incorrect determinations by scaring very conservative organisations into playing it safe.