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New Regulations Come Into Effect 1st October

1st October 2008

Categories: What's New, Business Support

New Regulations 1st October 2008

To make it easier, the government introduces new legislation that affects businesses on two dates in the year, called Common Commencement Dates: 6th April and 1st October.

You can get advance notice of up and coming legislation changes from the Business Link website at www.businesslink.gov.uk.

There is a wide variety of new legislation coming into affect and you should check this page of the Business Link website to see them all: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=ONEOFFPAGE&itemId=1075320304&r.s=sl .

The legislation changes most likely to affect tourism busineses are:

National Minimum Wage Rise

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for eligible workers will increase. It will rise to £5.73 an hour for adult workers aged 22 and above and to £4.77 an hour for workers aged 18-21. The rate for those under 18 but above compulsory school age rises to £3.53 an hour. You can read a Business Link regulation update on this topic at: new national minimum wage rates - October 2008.

Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI)

There are two changes to the rules regarding Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI).

  1. Employers are no longer required to keep previous ELCI certificates for 40 years, although it is recommended that you do, since some workplace illnesses can take years to develop
  2. Employers are still required to display their ELCI certificate for employee inspection, but this can now be done electronically, provided employees can easily get access to it.

See a Business Link regulation update on changes in employers' liability compulsory insurance certificates rules.

Energy Performance Certificates and Air Conditioning Inspections

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are required for all residential and commercial buildings with only very limited exceptions.  They are required whenever a building is built or offered for sale or rent.  All air conditioning systems over 12kw output  must also be inspected at least once every five years.

Read all about this topic in the Rules and Regulations section of the Toolkit on the following pages: Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Air Conditioning Inspections.

Alternatively you can read a Business Link regulation update at changes in the energy performance certificate rules.

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