What a turbulent month I have just wadded through,
although some really lovely moments have happened, the sense of ‘unfairness’ of
where I find my business has sent me into feeling quite distraught.
At the later end of last year there was rumblings of
change for those of us who have a small limited company working in the public
sector. The rumours became more prevalent in January regarding a tax element called
IR35, the government changed the rules taking into effect on 1st
April. The momentum has quickly gathered pace to such an extent March has been
harrowing as mere workers like me tried desperately to understand what was
going on and interpretate the impact, whilst also guiding those making the
decisions. The outcome is I feel unjust decisions have been taken about my
working activity taken by the hospital trust I work in, acting on a three line
whip by NHS England, with an outcome for me being - it is no longer financially viable
for me to continue with my own limited company. I am forced into a decision to
now become an employee of an ‘umbrella’ company or take a fixed term substantive
contract in the hospital who want to keep me on. The contrary nature of the situation is my position could change
again in the future as the decision of the IR35 status sits with the hospital
who requires the skills. The ridiculous point is my IR35 status does not make
any savings for the hospital I work within, I continue to charge my daily rate
but it is the hospital who wants my skills who make the IR35 decision. Feels
ironic!!!!
On to much cheerier events which has to be ‘Mother’s Day’,
a great weekend. We were treated to a ‘Mum’s Tea’ by mum and dad, indulging in
scones and cake, mums speciality!! Enjoyed with my sisters who were available, being from the left Sara, Mum, me and Kath. Whilst also catching up with Jerry's mum. Sharing a bit of time together all around.
On Mother’s Day the sun was bright in the sky we took
ourselves off to one of my favourite places being Cromer. A warm spring day, calm sea, blue sky - it was a beautiful day. Wandering day to the sea-front on and
off the beach, up and down the pier, lingering around the Helter-Skelter for
Dylan. Indulged ourselves with ice-cream, tea and cake then Milo brought sweets
for us all to go home with. A moment of family fun and calmness in the middle
of a turbulent month.
March was definitely the month that belonged to our niece
Lily, my youngest sister Katherine’s daughter. Lily is a budding fashion
designer and at 17 yrs. is realising her aspirations as she contributed an
eight piece collection in Norwich Fashion week. I was not able to attend but by
all accounts she did extremely well demonstrating the theme of ‘Graffiti’. I
have included a very short video clip of the evening and pictures which were
shared with me.
Then our young Lily celebrated her 18th
birthday on the last day of March. Enjoying an afternoon meal with her family
and grandparents then gathered in the evening to consume the delights of legal
wine bar/cocktail drinking.
Happy Days.
