Q. There’s a Business Intelligence role going in Peterborough for a ‘high profile Government project’. The emails from the recruitment agency say it’s outside IR35. That can’t be correct can it?
A. Without knowing the full details or looking at contractual terms and the actual working arrangements, it’s impossible to say with any certainty. However given that the role is within the public sector, it’s not for the agency to say whether the role is inside or outside of IR35, as this would have to be determined by the public sector body themselves, under the new guidelines (introduced from April this year). It would be advisable to discuss this further with the agency, to establish whether they have received any input from the end client regarding the IR35 status of the role.
Don’t trust what your agency tells you. They have a vested interest in getting contractors placed with clients and they understand the law even less than most contractors and clients. I am now in a contract which my client considers within IR35 after my agent told me it would not be covered. Do your own checks and if possible talk directly to the client.