New research has found that contractors are set to leave the public sector if a damaging Government proposal comes into effect.

A new survey from IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed, has found that over half (54 percent) of so-called Personal Service Companies (PSCs) working in the public sector would leave the sector if an unfair Government proposal to change how they are taxed is implemented.

What are PSCs and how will the proposal affect them? So-called PSCs are individuals who operate as contract workers through the intermediary of an incorporated business. They are crucial in running many of our public services efficiently. The Government intends to make public sector organisations, or the agency, determine the IR35 status of an engagement, as opposed to the contractor’s company. The client/agency will then be responsible for applying employment taxes to those businesses that are deemed to be ‘caught’ by the new rules. In effect, the Government wants to tax these businesses like employees, without offering any employment rights. IPSE conducted a survey among independent professionals that aimed to understand how the proposed changes might affect PSCs.

Abandoning the public sector
Nearly a third (31 percent) of respondents indicated that they would no longer work on public sector contracts at all if the proposal is introduced – this is without waiting to find out whether they will be required to pay the same tax and National Insurance as an employee. Almost a quarter (23 percent) said that if they have to pay tax like an employee, they would terminate their public sector contracts. It’s no surprise that only two per cent would continue taking on public sector contracts if the proposal is implemented. Out of those who indicated they would terminate their public sector contract or not work on public sector contracts at all, four in five (81 percent) would seek out work outside the public sector instead. Another disheartening finding was that of those who will to leave the public sector if the proposal was enacted, five per cent would retire earlier than planned.

Forced to increase rates
Almost four in ten (39 percent) indicated that they would have no choice but to increase their day rate to compensate for any additional tax liability if the proposal is enacted. The flexibility and specialist skills PSCs provide are vital to the completion of small and large scale public sector projects. Public sector bodies would have to pay more for their services ­­- which would again increase the cost and strain on public funds – with no benefit to the exchequer.