General

01 Oct 2015

National Minimum Wage rates increase today

A reminder that National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates increase today. The main increases are as follows:  a 20p (3%) increase in the adult rate (from £6.50 to £6.70 per hour)  a 17p (3%) increase in the rate for 18 to 20 year ...

27 Sep 2015

Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS) - delayed to 1 January 2016

We have previously alerted you to and provided reminders about the introduction of the Alcohol Wholesale Registration Scheme previously due to commence in October 2015. It has now been confirmed that due to technical issues with the online regist...

20 Sep 2015

Employment - and illegal immigrants - update

Last month we reported that the Government’s new Immigration Bill included a range of new powers including measures to deal more effectively with businesses offering employment to those here illegally. On the 17th September the Bill receive...

25 Aug 2015

Shop opening hours including Sunday trading - parliamentary brief

The House of Commons Library has just published a briefing note, the aim of which is to look in detail at permissible shop opening hours. In the process, it also summarises the background to the Sunday Trading Act 1994 and the Christmas Day (Trad...

10 Jul 2015

Breathalysers in pubs and clubs - a cause for concern?

We have previously commented on the recent trend for the use of breathalysers on persons seeking entry to licensed premises, particularly in the evening; see our article 'Breathalysers in pubs and clubs - a cause for concern?'  News of their...

17 Jun 2015

No proposed ban of e-cigarettes in enclosed spaces in England

Last week we reported on the proposals of the Welsh Government to ban the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed and substantially enclosed public and work spaces. Following this, it has been reported that the Department of Health has confirmed that a s...