UK firms ‘still coming to terms with employment law changes’

Posted 21/03/2012

Despite the coalition’s promise to make deregulation a top priority, the British Chambers of Commerce has asserted that the majority of firms across the country are still facing problems.

Director-general of the lobby group John Longworth told the Daily Mail that companies are still “reeling” from employment law changes implemented in 2011, although the government has promised to cut red tape.

He specified the introduction of additional paternity leave and the removal of the default retirement age are particular causes for concern.

Furthermore, he argued the cost of this red tape is huge and called on chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne to deliver a Budget that prioritises the needs of businesses later today (March 21st).

“Employers are already worried about the risks involved in taking on new employees. At a time of such high unemployment, we need employers to create jobs, not be wary of doing so,” he commented.

Concern was also expressed that the introduction of still more regulations are rumoured to be in the pipeline.

Posted by Hywel Griffiths