HLAS

Updated guidance has been issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to help employers. The guidance provides advice on what employers can do to prevent pregnancy and maternity discrimination at work. The updates are due to the new flexible working laws that came into effect in April 2024, and they outline the changes that employers will have to make because of these laws. These changes include: Extending protection from redundancy. In a redundancy situation, offering suitable alternative employment. Dealing with the new right to request flexible working from the first day of employment. Increasing the flexibility in how paternity [...]

Are you wanting to start your journey into craft, or do you want to turn your hobby into a career? If so, you may be able to apply for a training bursary from Heritage Crafts. In total, 27 bursaries are available depending on individual need with some ringfenced for black and ethnically diverse trainees, veterans, trainees in Scotland and Wales, and those working in decorative, rural and endangered crafts. Craftspeople from Northern Ireland are also being encouraged to apply. The bursary of up to £4,000 can cover or contribute to the costs of: Training as an apprentice with a craftperson. [...]

Ten UK teams have been named finalists for the inaugural Manchester Prize, which was announced last week by the Prime Minister at the AI Seoul Summit. Each team will receive part of a £1 million fund to develop AI solutions over the next eight months, focusing on energy, environment, and infrastructure. Their projects include AI for solar energy integration, climate-resilient crop traits, waste flow analytics, and advanced battery manufacturing. Following the announcement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt emphasized the AI sector's growth potential, with AI expected to significantly boost the UK economy. He called the prize “one of the best investments we [...]

Self-driving vehicles are set to be on British roads by 2026 following the enactment of the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act. Automated vehicles are expected to improve road safety by reducing human error, which is estimated to be responsible for 88% of road collisions. The AV Act, which was first announced in the King’s Speech of November 2023, attempts to position the UK as a leader in self-driving technology regulation, that according to government estimates, will potentially unlock a £42 billion industry and create over 38,000 skilled jobs by 2035. The legislation mandates that self-driving vehicles must meet high safety standards [...]

A new service has been launched to help employers and managers with employee health and disability. The guidance contained in the service will help in supporting employees and to understand any legal requirements. There are also links provided to government and other organisations that are able to help. The guidance contains information on: Managing absences and staying in touch with employees. In and out of work conversations with your employees. Helping you to decide on changes that may help employees stay or come back to work. How to protect your business and your employees with policies and procedures. How to [...]

A former management trainee at Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK Limited, Shairaz Saleem, has been fined after illegally obtaining customer data over a two-week period in 2019. Concerns arose when Mr Saleem visited his workplace in West Yorkshire outside of his scheduled hours and an internal audit then revealed that he accessed 39 customer records from 25 different rental branches in just 32 minutes. Further investigation by Enterprise Rent-A-Car uncovered that Mr Saleem had accessed at least 213 records containing personal data without authorisation. Mr Saleem was subsequently dismissed for gross misconduct. The company confirmed that Mr Saleem had no business reason [...]

New planning laws that have come into force simplify the conversion of unused farm buildings into new homes, farm shops, and gyms. These changes aim to help farmers diversify and expand their businesses without the burden of submitting planning applications. Farmers can now repurpose agricultural buildings and land for various new uses, including outdoor sports facilities, larger farm shops, and training centres. Permitted development rights already allow farmers to make some changes without needing planning permissions, but these have now been extended to provide greater freedoms. For instance, the number of homes that can be provided through converting agricultural buildings [...]

Official figures released last week by the Office for National Statistics show that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) dropped to 2.3% for the 12 months to April 2024. This is down from 3.2% for the 12 months to March 2024. The new energy price caps and resulting fall in gas and electricity prices were the main factors behind the decrease. However, rises in the price of petrol and diesel meant the rate did not fall as low as it might otherwise have done. A fall in the inflation rate doesn’t mean that prices generally are falling, but rather that they [...]

For businesses that run as a partnership, there often comes a time where you need to consider admitting a new partner into the partnership. Perhaps it’s a case of looking for someone who will pave the way for an existing partner to retire, maybe it’s a family business and there are plans to bring the next generation on board, or perhaps you have a key employee that brings value to the business and is looking to grow their role and status in the business. Whatever the reason, what are some of the things you should consider before admitting a new [...]

Recycling can be confusing, leaving people and businesses wondering what items can be recycled on bin day. So, a new common-sense approach has been announced to make bin day easier and more standard across the country. Councils will now be allowed to collect plastic, metal, glass, paper, and card in one bin in all circumstances. Food and garden waste can also be collected at the same time. This approach will keep things simpler for councils and other waste collectors. The government is also pushing for more frequent and comprehensive bin collections. Outside England, there is a trend towards three-weekly or [...]