Legislation/Regulation

Industry’s opinions divided over Autumn Budget

The government’s so-called Recovery Budget has received divided reviews from the recruitment, business and economic communities.

28 October 2021

New inquiry launched into off-payroll rules in private sector

The House of Lords Finance Bill Sub-Committee has launched a new inquiry on the implementation of the off-payroll rules in the private sector, and how these rules are working in practice.

HR 25 October 2021

Revolution for training for work is needed, REC tells government

Government must overhaul the skills system to solve current and future labour shortage issues, says the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC).

Apprentices/Grads/School leavers 19 October 2021

Relief that right-to-work checks stay digital until next year

The government has once again deferred the ending of the digital right-to-work checks.

27 September 2021

Recruitment industry criticises NI increases for social care reforms

The announcement yesterday [7 September] of National Insurance (NI) and dividend tax increases to cover NHS and social care reforms has been roundly criticised by representatives of the recruitment sector and umbrella workers.

Public sector, Social care 8 September 2021

Charity criticises Home Office to update Employer Checking Service

An employment rights charity has hit out at a Home Office online platform designed to help employers check the right-to-work of applicants.

8 September 2021

Government tribunal service gets bill for wrong IR35 assessments

The HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) is the latest government department to fall foul of HM Revenue & Customs Service’s IR35 legislation.

Legal 23 August 2021

Digital checks supported employers to hire thousands during lockdown

A Better Hiring Institute (BHI) roundtable, chaired by Keith Rosser (pictured) of REED Screening, called for the use of digital right-to-work checks to be extended.

17 August 2021

Recruiters among those breaching NMW and underpaying workers

Eight recruiters are among the 191 UK employers named by the government today [5 August 2021] who have underpaid more than 34,000 workers by £2.1m between 2011 and 2018.

5 August 2021

HMRC slaps tax fine on Home Office for wrong IR35 assessments

HM Revenue & Customs has been busy dishing out penalties for unpaid tax due to wrong off-payroll workers’ status.

Public sector 30 July 2021

TUC wrong to ban umbrellas, still a place for ethical firms

Continuing malpractice by some umbrella companies is HM Revenue & Customs’ failure to stamp it out.

30 July 2021

TUC calls for umbrella company ban

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called for the government to ban the use of umbrella companies to employ agency workers, The Guardian has reported today (29 July 2021).

29 July 2021

DWP owes £88m in off-payroll errors due to HMRC CEST

The Department for Work and Pensions has found itself owing HM Revenue & Customs nearly £88m for “historic errors” in assessing tax liability for DWP off-payroll workers over the period 2017-21.

Public sector 28 July 2021

Industry calls for health & safety clarity over Freedom Day

Recruitment’s trade bodies have called for clarity from government on health & safety compliance measures as the so-called Freedom Day in England (unlocking final pandemic restrictions) approaches next Monday [19 July 2021].

13 July 2021

Temporary relaxation of drivers’ hours not the answer, says industry

A temporary relaxation of the retained EU drivers’ hours rules took effect yesterday (12 July 2021), and will remain in force until 8 August.

Transport & logistics 13 July 2021

Temp relaxation of hours, increased tests to solve HGV drivers crisis

Department for Transport has introduced a temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the retained EU drivers’ hours rules in England, Scotland and Wales.

Retail, Transport & logistics 8 July 2021

GLAA operation rescues three from hand car wash in Liverpool

Three potential victims of modern slavery and labour exploitation have been rescued during a raid by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) at a hand car wash (pictured).

Industrial/Manufacturing 6 July 2021

Tribunal rules furloughed worker didn’t accrue annual leave

In what may be a landmark decision for UK business, an Employment Tribunal has ruled that a contract-for-services worker did not accrue holiday while he was on furlough.

30 June 2021

‘Don’t delay, apply today’ plea for EU Settlement Scheme

Midnight tonight is the deadline for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme, allowing European citizens to apply for post-Brexit residency in the UK.

30 June 2021

In-person right to work checks will hinder recovery says REC

More than 300,000 people a week could be delayed in starting work if the Home Office does not continue to allow Right to Work (RTW) checks to be conducted digitally.

17 June 2021

New watchdog to merge three bodies into one to protect UK workers

The government has announced it is launching a new watchdog to protect the rights of UK workers – the long-vaunted Single Enforcement Body.

8 June 2021

Industry hopeful for changes to curb unregulated umbrella companies

Amendments tabled to the Finance Bill that would either “curb or kill” umbrella companies could be discussed today [24 May 2021] as the Bill reaches the Report Stage.

24 May 2021

Proposals submitted to government to help regulate umbrella companies

Two experts have put forward proposals they say are needed to regulate the umbrella company industry, in the wake of the government’s failure last week to unveil an Employment Bill in the Queen’s Speech.

17 May 2021

Don’t ditch the digital identity checks, says Rosser

Returning to in-person identity checks from 21 June is “a daft decision”, the House of Lords has been told following a government announcement last week that the move away from digital checks has been postponed but not cancelled.

HR 17 May 2021

Addison Lee drivers are workers says Court of Appeal

In the latest victory for gig economy workers, the Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by hired driving company Addison Lee.

Transport & logistics, Hospitality/Leisure 23 April 2021