Dean Russell, Conservative MP for Watford has said that the message needs to go to businesses that IR35 is not a reason for them to discriminate against contractors.
Mr Russell said this at the Houses of Parliament during the ‘Parliament Street Skills Summit-Closing the Gap’ talk which discussed the UK’s growing skills shortage.
Mr Russell said:
I am very aware of IR35 and have spoken to both Chancellors (Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak) about it. The message needs to go to businesses not to discriminate against contractors.
The legislation is there to close a tax loop hole, it is not a reason to discriminate against contractors.
Dave Chaplin, CEO and founder of ContractorCalculator and IR35 shield said:
Today’s news on Off-Payroll is exceptionally disappointing and demonstrates a tin-eared approach has been taken by the Chancellor.
Already we are seeing firms unfairly classify self-employed workers as ‘deemed employees’ which means they are taxed as employees, but yet receive none of the rights of employment.
Mr Sunak said:
I’ve spent time with HMRC to ensure they are not going to be at all heavy handed for the first year to give people time to adjust as well, which I think is an appropriate and fair thing to do.
However, this just resulted in people calling for a delay to IR35.
Darius is the editor of HRreview. He has previously worked as a finance reporter for the Daily Express. He studied his journalism masters at Press Association Training and graduated from the University of York with a degree in History.
- Darius McQuaid
- Darius McQuaid
- Darius McQuaid
- Darius McQuaid
