

Latest News
- Default Retirement Age to be Scrapped
the Government has announced that the default retirement age (DRA) will be scrapped on 1st October 2011
- Pre-employment health questionnaires to stop
The new Equality Act, which comes into force in October will prohibit employers from asking candidates pre-employment health questions
- Tribunal claims at highest level ever
The Tribunals Service statistics for 2009/10 show that the number of claims received by employment tribunals rose by 56% on 2008/09 - the highest level ever
- Vetting & Barring Scheme on hold
The Government has put the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) registration process on hold pending further review
- New company car advisory fuel rates
HMRC has announced new advisory fuel rates that can be used by employers paying employees a business mileage when driving an employer owned car
- Minimum Wage Increase – October 2010
Minimum wage rates set to increase in October 2010 and a new wage rate will be established for apprentices
- Agency Workers Directive
The Governemnt has delayed the AWD until October 2011
- Paternity Leave to be Extended
Fathers to benefit from up to 26 weeks' additional paternity leave from April 2011
- Time off for Training
Employees to be provided with the statutory right to request time off work for training
- Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Pay to Increase
Statutory maternity, paternity pay and adoption pay to increase to £124.88 per week in April
- Unfair Dismissal – Compensatory Award Decrease
The maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal decreases from £66,200 to £65,300 from 1st February 2010
- Long Term Sickness & Holiday Pay
The EJC has ruled that the right to paid annual leave continues to accrue during sick leave
- Extended Statutory Maternity Pay Suspended
The Government has suspended its plans to increase Statutory Maternity Pay
- 48 Hour Opt Out to Remain
With no agreement reached on the issue of Britain's ability to opt out of the 48 hour week, employees will be able to continue to work more than this limit if they choose to do so
- Worker Registration Scheme to be Extended
The Government announced an extension of the Worker Registration Scheme until April 2011
- Personal Accounts Pension Scheme Outlined
- the Pensions Act 2008 provides for compulsory employer contributions into pension schemes from April 2012