News

March 10, 2010

Round-up of new rules in force from April 2010

A number of new measures apply from April:

• benefit rates: from 1 April, the weekly rates of statutory maternity pay, statutory adoption pay and statutory paternity pay rise from £123.06 to £124.88; and the weekly rate of statutory sick pay remains unchanged at £79.15.
• right to request time off to train: in force for large employers (more than 250 employees) from 6 April 2010, and guidance has been published on the Business Link website; in force for all employers from April 2011.
• business rates revaluation: new rateable values come into force on 1 April 2010, which will remain effective for the next five years; transitional arrangements apply to ensure that any large increases are phased.
• additional paternity leave and pay: new draft regulations (due in force from April 2010) give rights to additional paternity leave and pay for employees who are new fathers; note that the new rights are effective in relation to babies born after 3 April 2011.
• damages-based agreements: new draft regulations (due in force from 6 April) set out the requirements that an agreement between a client and his or her representative must comply with, including information to be given before an agreement can be made, and specify that the amount of the payment must not exceed 35 per cent of the sum recovered by the client.