Category: Employment Law, Taxation and Legislation for Contractors

People wanting to become a professional contractor will not be able to do more than 16 hours of work a week if they are claiming jobseekers allowance.

George Anastasi, a policy official at the PCG, the trade group for freelancers, told ContractorUK that there are limits on what people can do while they are claiming the benefit.

He added that the rules on the topic are "notoriously complex", but claimants should make sure they do not work or engage in guided learning for more than 16 hours a week.

Responding a reader's question, Mr Anastasi said that people can, however, enquire about professional contract work and search for it while claiming the benefit.

The expert did warn that people claiming additional benefits while they are out of work will find it more difficult if they have been a professional contractor in the past, saying that there are "more complex tests of eligibility".

People using their 16 hours a week to take part in guided learning should pick their course carefully, according to an expert.

Matt Limb from training firm Computeach recently said that there are lots of course options for IT professionals, but that they should check out the training company's history and reputation.

Posted by Daniel Frost