companies house made easy

staff parking "stealth tax"

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has spoken out against a proposed Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) which will charge businesses for providing staff parking spaces.

one in one out with red tape

The Business Secretary, Vince Cable has announced plans to implement a 'one in, one out' system for regulation, to ensure that small businesses aren't burdened with higher costs for compliance.

an end to fixed retirement age

The government plans to scrap the fixed retirement age of 65 from October 2011.

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October 1st saw the minimum wage rise by 7 pence per hour for adults, and a new law on tipping come into force, preventing employers to use tips to make up wages to the minimum rate.

Restaurants, bars and hotels that use a service charge to make up the wages of their staff are no longer allowed to do so. All staff must be paid at least the national minimum wage of £5.80 for people over 21, £4.83 for people aged 18 to 21, and £3.57 for 16 and 17 year olds.

Tips are now to be considered a bonus for staff, although there are concerns from some in the service industries that tips will now go directly to management or employers, and will bypass the workers who earned them.

The British Hospitality Association (BHA) believes that the move could cause many bars, restaurants and hotels to cut staff because they cannot afford to the increased costs. They estimate 5,000 job losses as a result.