Government
publishes regulatory programme up to April 2011
The
Government has published its Forward Programme, which sets out all prospective
regulatory measures that have been publicly announced, which are projected to
give rise to costs or benefits to business and which have been scheduled to
come into force by April 2011. The Programme contains a number of employment
related measures.
In
the introduction to the Forward
Programme, the Government highlights that the programme
has been designed to improve the management and scrutiny of new regulations as
they are developed. The Forward Programme sets out the planned changes to
regulations which will impact on business and that are due to come into force
between now and the end of April 2011. This should allow businesses and those
affected by regulation to plan more effectively. Employment related measures
are listed as follows:
-
The
Acas code of practice on time off for trade union duties and activities, which
is due to come into force in January 2010. -
Regulations
outlawing trade union blacklists, which will come into force between January
and April 2010. -
The
measures setting out apprenticeship standards in the Apprenticeships, Skills,
Children and Learning Bill which will come into force in September 2010. -
The
Equality Bill, which is scheduled for October 2010, save for some specific
public sector equality duties, which are due to come into force in April 2011. -
The
Government intends to introduce the right to request time off to train for
businesses with more than 250 employees in April 2010 and to extend this to all
businesses in April 2011 or later.
This provides summary information and comment on the subject areas covered. Where employment tribunal and appellate court cases are reported, the information does not set out all of the facts, the legal arguments presented and the judgments made in every aspect of the case. Employment law is subject to constant change either by statute or by interpretation by the courts. While every care has been taken in compiling this information, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Specialist legal advice must be taken on any legal issues that may arise before embarking upon any formal course of action.