Menu
07/04/2011
Small Firms Warned Of Changes In The Law
A small business support group is urging business owners to be aware of new legislation which came into effect this week.
This month sees a raft of important changes to the law, including increases in statutory sick pay, changes in tax rates and the end of most employers’ abilities to forcibly retire staff.
However, the Forum of Private Business is concerned that many small firms may be completely unaware of the changes - and could face prosecution as a result.
The key legislative changes which business owners need to be aware of include:
“However, any instances of a business failing to comply with a piece of legislation can have serious financial consequences, no matter how unintended or trivial the breach is. As a result, I would urge all business owners to familiarise themselves with changes to the law and seek professional advice if they are unsure what they need to do to comply.”
(BMcN)
This month sees a raft of important changes to the law, including increases in statutory sick pay, changes in tax rates and the end of most employers’ abilities to forcibly retire staff.
However, the Forum of Private Business is concerned that many small firms may be completely unaware of the changes - and could face prosecution as a result.
The key legislative changes which business owners need to be aware of include:
- An increase in statutory sick pay, taking the weekly amount employers have to pay staff on sick leave from £79.15 to £81.60
- Alterations to the way National Insurance is calculated and the rates at which it is paid
- The effective ending of an employer’s ability to issue six-month notifications of retirement using the statutory retirement procedure. The law still gives provision for some businesses to have a set retirement age but only if they can justify it objectively – generally only on health and safety grounds
- The creation of an employers’ right to use positive discrimination as a tie-breaker when making decisions on recruitment and promotion
“However, any instances of a business failing to comply with a piece of legislation can have serious financial consequences, no matter how unintended or trivial the breach is. As a result, I would urge all business owners to familiarise themselves with changes to the law and seek professional advice if they are unsure what they need to do to comply.”
(BMcN)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 March 2004
Thousands of SMEs risk prosecution over disability access
More than two-thirds of small business owners risk breaking the law if they fail to make their premises compliant with an extension of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), according to research published today.
Thousands of SMEs risk prosecution over disability access
More than two-thirds of small business owners risk breaking the law if they fail to make their premises compliant with an extension of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), according to research published today.
17 January 2011
Simple Tax Laws 'Would Pay Off'
Some small business owners are so frustrated with the complexity of the UK tax system that they would pay more just to see it simplified, new research has found.
Simple Tax Laws 'Would Pay Off'
Some small business owners are so frustrated with the complexity of the UK tax system that they would pay more just to see it simplified, new research has found.
23 June 2010
SMEs Back Budget Pledges
Small business support group the Forum of Private Business has welcomed a number of key victories for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in Tuesday's Budget.
SMEs Back Budget Pledges
Small business support group the Forum of Private Business has welcomed a number of key victories for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in Tuesday's Budget.
21 May 2010
Coalition 'Will Aid UK's Private Businesses'
There has been a positive reaction to the publication of the full coalition agreement between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties. The Forum of Private Business has said that their initial impression is that thousands of smaller businesses could benefit from many of the measures outlined in the document.
Coalition 'Will Aid UK's Private Businesses'
There has been a positive reaction to the publication of the full coalition agreement between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties. The Forum of Private Business has said that their initial impression is that thousands of smaller businesses could benefit from many of the measures outlined in the document.
22 January 2004
£163m bill for UK businesses over wrongly addressed mail
Error-strewn letters and packages cost UK businesses around £163 million in 2002, according to research published today by the Royal Mail. The research from Royal Mail indicated that more than two thirds of all business letters had one or more errors – like incorrect addresses or simply that the addressed company had relocated.
£163m bill for UK businesses over wrongly addressed mail
Error-strewn letters and packages cost UK businesses around £163 million in 2002, according to research published today by the Royal Mail. The research from Royal Mail indicated that more than two thirds of all business letters had one or more errors – like incorrect addresses or simply that the addressed company had relocated.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
