The 2011 Budget - Employment measures

The 2011 Budget and the Government's accompanying "Plan for Growth" contain a number of employment-related measures, including announcements that the Government will:

• impose a moratorium exempting micro-businesses (i.e. those with fewer than 10 employees) and start-up businesses from new domestic regulation for three years from 1 April 2011

• conduct a public review of employment regulations with the aim of removing those that are excessively burdensome

• consult on removing the requirement in the Equality Act 2010 that businesses take reasonable steps to prevent persistent harassment of their staff by third parties

• not bring into force the dual discrimination provisions of the Equality Act 2010

• not extend the right to request time off for training to businesses with less than 250 employees

• publish a timetable for the Government's further review of employment law over the course of Parliament to allow businesses to provide input into the changes that are being made

• urge the EU Commission to revise burdensome directives (including the proposed amendments to the Pregnant Workers' Directive and changes to the Information and Consultation of Employees Directive)

• implement the proposals from Lord Young's Review of Health and Safety

• publish an Enforcement White Paper in May 2011 with plans to improve enforcement of regulations.

The Government's aim of the "Plan for Growth" is to ensure that it "maximises flexibility for both employers and employees, whilst protecting fairness and providing a competitive environment in which enterprise can survive."

Source Burges Salmon