On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 17:34:25 +0100, Ed Sirett
wrote:

On Tue, 18 Jul 2006 23:32:30 +0100, Andy Hall wrote:

[-snip-]

I wonder if part P could be similarly targetted......

Must drop another letter to local MPs.

I think you'll be backing a loser.
Firstly the matter is done and that means a magnitudes more effort to
change things.

Secondly the real reason for Part P is the same as Part F,G,J
L etc. ISTM it's to introduce a culture of qualification,
registration and self-certification which makes being casually
self-employed as a general workman very awkward.

Either you have to specialise or you have to be employed by a company
which is registered. It's just too damn expensive to be registered for
more than couple of trades, and very hard if you are not full time.

IIRC around 75% of all self-employed people are in construction and
related trades. ISTM that the treasury or other departments want to
control this sector. So far I expect they have simply driven it
underground.

IMHO Part P and it's ilk are there to discourage DIY and the use of
self employed "handymen". They want everyone to use large firms so
that the gov't get more Tax revenue. It all about Tax IMHO.

Mark