With the UK economy under strain, IT project leaders are being forced to rethink their approach to resourcing.

Inflationary pressures, proposed National Insurance increases, and continued IR35 compliance risks are making permanent hiring and contractor engagements more costly and inflexible.

The UK's 2024 Autumn Budget introduced a series of changes that impact businesses, including increases to National Insurance, pension contributions, and the minimum wage. These changes are collectively referred to as a "triple hit" on employers and will likely increase business costs, especially for SMEs. 

As organisations grapple with the implications of these changes, which include an increase in the main rate of secondary Class 1 NICs from 13.8% to 15% effective April 6, 2025, a pressing need for innovative IT project resourcing solutions has emerged.

 Among the most promising solutions is, Stoneseed’s Project Management as a Service (PMaaS) a cost-effective, flexible alternative, giving organisations access to experienced Project Managers (PMs) and Business Analysts (BAs) without the long-term commitment of traditional hiring.

The Hidden Costs of IT Project Resourcing

Many organisations looking for IT project professionals underestimate the full cost of hiring. Beyond salaries or contractor day rates, there are hidden costs such as:

•    Employer National Insurance & Pensions – set to increase, raising employment costs.
•    Recruitment & Training Costs – time-consuming and expensive for permanent roles.
•    IR35 Risks – contractors require careful compliance checks to avoid liabilities.
•    Resource Inflexibility – fixed contracts or full-time salaries, even if demand fluctuates

A cost and flexibility breakdown shows how PMaaS outperforms traditional hiring:

While a contractor and PMaaS resource may appear similar on paper, the reality is that PMaaS delivers significantly greater value over the project lifecycle.

Why More IT Leaders Are Switching to PMaaS

As economic pressures force IT project leaders to do more with less, PMaaS provides a scalable, risk-free alternative to permanent or contract hiring.

1. Cost Savings & Pay-Per-Use Model

• Only pay for the project days you need, with no full-time salary or fixed contract obligations.
• Scale resource usage up or down (1-5 days per week) depending on project demand.
• No recruitment or bench-time costs, reducing wasted spend.

2. Seamless Integration & PMO Support

• Project-ready professionals, fully managed and supported by Stoneseed’s PMO.
• No need for internal onboarding or training – resources align with existing teams and methodologies.
• Unlike self-managed contractors, Stoneseed’s structured approach ensures consistency across projects.

3. No IR35 Risks or Compliance Headaches

• IR35 continues to be a compliance burden for businesses using contractors.
• PMaaS eliminates IR35 risks entirely, as all resources are directly employed by Stoneseed.
• No hidden tax liabilities or admin burdens for your organisation.

4. Future-Proofing IT Projects in an Uncertain Economy
   With economic uncertainty, inflation, and rising employer costs, IT project leaders need predictable, flexible cost models.

PMaaS delivers:
✔ A transparent, scalable cost structure.
✔ No long-term financial commitment.
✔ Quick access to high-quality IT project talent.

 

 Conclusion: A Smarter Approach to IT Project Resourcing

 

As UK businesses face rising costs and compliance challenges, the traditional hiring model is becoming too rigid and expensive. Stoneseed’s PMaaS model offers the expertise of a permanent hire, the flexibility of a contractor, and the support of a fully managed service. For IT project leaders looking to cut costs while maintaining quality, PMaaS is the future of IT project resourcing.