Some professional contractors could yet be excluded from the AWD (Agency Workers’ Directive), according to Ann Swain, chief executive of The Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).

As the original deadline of 30 September for publication of the final draft regulations looms, Swain told Recruiter that APSCo “is negotiating with the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) on a workable methodology that will negate the adverse effects of implementation of the AWD on the professional end of the recruitment market.” APSCo has suggested that workers earning more than three times the minimum wage be excluded from the AWD.

Swain adds that she expects publication of the AWD regulations to be delayed by two weeks. The original timetable was for the regulations to be published on 30 September. “It’s such a big deal, and they can’t afford to get it wrong,” she explains.

Frances Lewes, a partner in the recruitment sector group at law firm Blake Lapthorn adds that those drafting the regulations are describing it “as the most difficult set of regulations they have ever had to work on.”

Swain says APSCo is calling for an extension of the two-week consultation period to four weeks, following publication of the regulations.

BIS had not responded as Recruiter went to press.