Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/1999/05/25/uk_government_threatens_own_y2k/

UK government threatens own Y2K push

Chancellor's changes mean contractors might pack bags

By Mike Magee

Posted in On-Prem, 25th May 1999 11:52 GMT

Exclusive Computer contractors in the UK are up in arms following changes UK chancellor Gordon Brown made to counter tax avoidance in the spring budget. According to one contractor who consulted his accountant about the changes: "This is going to decimate the UK IT industry." He said: "Myself and 32 per cent of contractors surveyed would move our work abroad -- courtesy of the tax legislation that is being sneaked in the backdoor." Figures published by Action 2000 recently show that there are many sectors in the UK where work has only begun on Year 2000 compliance. A group of contractors and consultants have set up a forum on Engineerjob in an attempt to counter the changes. ®