Workers May Be Given Right to Request Flexible Working From ‘Day 1’
UK workers could be given the right to request flexible working from their first day of employment, under new government proposals. The BBC has reported that the government is launching a consultation into the proposals over the coming days. Under the proposals, workers could become able to make a statutory request for flexible working from […]
US Travel Ban Lifting For Fully Vaccinated Travelers from UK & EU
The United States has confirmed it will be easing travel restrictions for certain foreign nationals who have received the COVID double vaccination. From early November, fully vaccinated adult travellers from the UK, the 26 European Schengen countries, Ireland, China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa and India will no longer be subject to the travel ban. Travellers […]
Self Employed Mortgage Guide
One of the downsides of having your own business is that applying for a mortgage can seem a more challenging process than if you were employed. The following guidance looks at the key criteria for getting a self employed mortgage, including which documentation you will need to show to potential lenders and the steps you […]
‘Unlawful’ Mandatory COVID Vaccine Law Challenged By Care Home Workers
Care home workers are taking legal action against the UK government to overturn the mandatory COVID vaccine law. Two care home staff are pursuing a Judicial Review challenging the amendment to ‘The Health and Social Care Act 2008’ which will prevent individuals from entering a care home after 11 November 2021, unless they have been […]
New Legal Duty on Funeral Firms to Give Consumers Clear Pricing
A new legal duty is now in force requiring funeral directors and crematorium operators to provide clear pricing of their products and services to grieving families. The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has issued new guidance obligating service providers in the funeral industry to take steps to ensure their pricing for consumers information is clear […]
Broadcasters To Make “Distinctively British” TV Shows Under New Proposals
Broadcasters in the UK may soon be legally required to produce content that is “distinctively British”, according to Media Minister John Whittingdale. Speaking at a Royal Television Society conference, Mr Whittingdale cited programmes such as the Great British Bake Off, Dr Who and Downton Abbey which had achieved global success while still reflecting “Britain and […]
New Children’s Privacy Design Code In Force
A new data protection code has taken effect in the UK designed to restrict and monitor online services accessed and used by children. The Age Appropriate Design Code, also referred to as the Children’s code, has been introduced by the UK ICO to make the internet a “better and safer place for children”. The code […]
One Month Countdown to End of Furlough Scheme
Employers currently claiming furlough support have only one month left until the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme closes. Government financial contributions towards furloughed workers’ wages are due to end on 30 September 2021, when employers will be required to resume full responsibility for workers’ wages. During September, the government will contribute 60% of wages up to […]
Dealing with Sex Discrimination at Work
Sex discrimination refers to when someone is unfairly disadvantaged in the workplace because of their gender. Most sex discrimination is directed towards women, but it is equally unlawful to discriminate against a man because of his gender. Sex discrimination remains a common workplace issue, as can be seen by the number and type of employment […]
New Mandatory Care Worker Vaccine Law Passed
New legislation requiring care home staff in England to have received the double Covid-19 vaccination comes into force on 11 November 2021. While other industries grapple with the employment, discrimination and even criminal implications of introducing ‘no-jab, no job policies’, the UK government has made the decision for the UK care sector by introducing a […]
Government Proposes New Animal Welfare Laws
The UK Government is set to publish a number of new draft animal welfare and protection laws. The proposals include a new Animal Sentience Bill, which would give vertebrate animals the legal right to feel happiness and pain. The new law would recognise ‘sentience’ in animals with a spinal cord, which means they are recognised […]
Hands-Free Driving to be Allowed on UK Roads This Year
‘Self-driving’ cars are set to become legal on roads in the UK by the end of 2021, according to the Government. The Department for Transport has said new legislation is being put forward that will allow hands-free driving using automated lane-keeping systems (ALKS) technology. The current proposal is limited to autonomous cars with ALKS technology […]
Parliament Debates National Security and Investment Bill
The Government could be given new powers to scrutinise and intervene in M&A transactions deemed to raise national security concerns, under a draft Bill currently being debated in the House of Lords. The National Security and Investment Bill would introduce an independent screening regime in the UK where a transaction involving a change of control […]
IR35 Rules Now Apply to Private Sector
Changes to the IR35 rules on off-payroll working have come into force today, affecting medium and large organisations in the private sector that engage contractors. The off-payroll rules, which are already in place for public sector organisations, had been scheduled to be extended to the private sector from 6 April 2020. This date was then […]
COVID Restrictions Easing from 12 April
The government’s test to move to the next stage of the COVID roadmap has been met, meaning further lockdown restrictions will be eased from Monday 12th April 2021, Boris Johnson confirmed in a live Downing Street press conference last night. From next Monday, outdoor hospitality can re-open, along with significant parts of the indoor economy […]
Changes to Motoring Laws from April 2021
New rules affecting UK motorists are due to come into force this year. The Department of Transport confirmed the first of these changes takes effect from today, with a change in car tax rules from 1 April 2021. Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is increasing for less environmentally-friendly cars. The amount of VED due is based […]
What is Insolvency?
When financial hardship hits your business, and you are forced to consider closing down, working out what to do next can be overwhelming. Understanding the fundamentals behind what insolvency is, what the process entails and what it means for the future of your business can help you to navigate this complex situation. The process of […]
Age Discrimination in the Workplace (Your Rights)
Age discrimination or ageism in the workplace is a form of unlawful discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. Employers are under a legal duty to prevent age discrimination in the workplace. The Equality Act 2010 states individuals must not be discriminated against at work because they are (or are not) a certain age or in […]
Asda Workers Win Latest Round In Equal Pay Battle
The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of 44,000 Asda supermarket workers in the latest stage of their equal pay challenge. Asda store workers are arguing they are being paid less because most store workers are women, while most distribution depot staff are men. The court upheld previous rulings that lower paid shop workers are […]
UK & EU Agree Financial Services Deal
The UK and EU have come to an agreement on post-Brexit financial services regulations. In a statement on 26 March 2021, HM Treasury announced the deal, which would see a new regulatory forum being created between the UK and the EU. The forum will comprise a minister from the UK and their equivalent from the […]