Business Concerned By Employment Rights Bill
On Tuesday, the British Chambers of Commerce used an evidence session on the Employment Rights Bill to highlight businesses’ serious concerns about the legislation and the speed and detail of consultation.
The issues included:
- A lack of detailed consultation on wide ranging changes to Trade Union powers.
- Greater restrictions and penalties for firms who need to make workforce changes.
- More responsibilities, costs and complexity for employers.
The Bill includes some of the most significant and wide-ranging changes to employment laws for decades. Employers are concerned that major decisions have been taken and written into the Bill without detailed consultation with business.
The Government’s own assessment suggests that the legislation will cost businesses almost £5bn per year, with SMEs impacted the most.
Click here to read the full press release here.
Businesses Crucial To Circular Economy Delivery
The BCC published the latest report from their Green Innovation challenge group – this time focusing on the Circular Economy. The report urged policymakers across the UK to put business at the heart of sustainability and waste reduction plans. The key recommendations:
- The Government’s Circular Economy roadmap should be published as soon as possible, with a clear focus on innovation and design-led skills.
- A more place-based approach should be adopted to drive forward progress, building on successful regional schemes.
- The UK and devolved governments should ensure regular and extensive consultation with the business community on zero-waste policies.
- The Government should improve access to innovation funding for SMEs to help them embed circular approaches in their organisation.
- A review of how procurement, supply chains and planning can be strengthened to support the circular economy.
Click here to read the full report.