The gate is closed

Thank christ for that.

 

So does that mean you made a decision?

 

Yes. Going back to the old place.

They're going to employ me, but on a day-rate, with a fixed term and the
ability to extend. It's not enormously tax-efficient, but it's highly
lucrative nonetheless. At least this way they pay my employer's NI

 

And this is where you find the clause in your contract that makes your
broadband connection cost ?1000 a month... ;-)

 

Actually, that's a point: I've got the "staff" broadband package.

Ironically, while this used to be half-price, since we dropped our prices it
now represents a whopping £3 per month discount ...

 

Is this working with the Dog's Bollocks?
I was being told by someone not unconnected just this week of the slight
challenge regarding <size of investment>Vs<only ~80,000 customers>

 

Quite.

My aim in going there was to get involved with advanced services (i.e. video,
my area of expertise), but this looks like a dim and distant prospect. The
recent press speculation and C&W shenanigans have only sharpened my resolve
to find something else to do.

There is a C&W board meeting on Monday, and a strategy presentation/press
conference on Tuesday, concerning the future of the UK division. I think I
may have got the timing just right.

 

One has been in communication with Mr Pluthero about such things from an
Irish perspective

 

*gulp*

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/ma...d=242&sSheet=/money/2006/02/27/ixcitytop.html

 

Aye
"Our business today - in bad shape," and continues: "Congratulations, we
work for an underperforming business in a crappy industry and it's going
to be hell for the next 12 months."

Ooo Errr

 

Nothing about us[1], specifically, but if you're a company that's not yet
generating profit, you really don't want your investor to be talking about
making savings of £190m ...

 

In a previous closed session he made the statement "Jackets off for BT"
which is more encouraging. He does need to stem the tide of losses
though.

 

.... which underscores the "wholesale LLU" theory that's been bouncing around
The Register etc.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/02/27/c_w_shakeup/

All will be revealed shortly, I guess

 

"This tough stance just adds to the speculation that C&W could be about
to neuter Bulldog's retail operation and become a wholesale provider of
LLU services instead"

Stealing my ideas now, the ****. I'll keep my briefing papers
confidential in future.

 

you're a mentalist to accept this, you know. Go on, workout how much
tax you'll be paying each month...

 

Oh sure, it's a lot, but I really struggle to see how I would escape IR35,
especially if I went back "in house" afterwards. This way they pay the
day-rate I was after, and take care of 10% employer NI, and give me 12 days'
holiday included (25 days pro-rata)

 

Indeedy do.
Draw dividends from a UK company. Single person tax code. No individual
or corporate NI to pay. You will pay under 18% total on your first £100K
of income. Compare that to the total tax take as an employee/company
and weep.