Regulations

Small businesses struggling with ineffective infrastructure

15 May 12

Rising energy costs and access to effective telecommunications, including broadband and mobile phone reception, have topped the polls as some of the most important infrastructure issues for small businesses, new research from the Forum of Private Business (FPB) has found.

Landmark Supreme Court ruling on forced retirement

26 Apr 12

The UK Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal from an older worker who was forced to retire, in a landmark ruling that may establish new ground rules for employer powers regarding the treatment of older employees.

Will writing and estate administration should be regulated, says advisory group

24 Apr 12

Providers of Will-writing and estate administration services should be regulated, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has said, after research found an inadequate standard of Will administration and safekeeping of consumer's money.

Scottish SMEs cautious about zero waste plan

23 Apr 12

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland have welcomed the Scottish Government's zero waste strategy but remain concerned about potential compliance costs, according to a survey conducted by the Forum of Private Business (FPB).

Early staging dates for pension auto enrolment now available

23 Apr 12

Businesses now have the option to bring forward the staging date in which they will automatically enrol employees into a work place pension scheme.

Injury reporting changes to cut paper work by 30%

10 Apr 12

Amendments to the rules on reporting work place injuries will save British companies thousands of hours of paper work, says the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the independent watchdog for work-related health and safety and illness.

New business regulation body launched

04 Apr 12

The Government has launched a new independent body to monitor business regulation in a bid to give businesses a voice in policy and red-tape decision making.

Warning over changes to unfair dismissal laws

04 Apr 12

Upcoming changes to employment law and regulations could result in an additional 2.7 million workers with an increased risk of losing their jobs, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has warned.

UK businesses committed to 'going green'

03 Apr 12

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK are more committed to sustainability, including saving energy, minimising waste, and recycling, compared to their European Union (EU) counterparts, a new European Commission study has found.

Consultation for simpler income tax for SMEs opens

29 Mar 12

The Government has opened a consultation document regarding income tax simplification for small businesses, including the introduction of a 'cash basis' for tax calculations and simplified expenses, following announcements made by George Osborne in the Budget.