COVID-19: THE LATEST
For all the latest news and updates, visit our Covid-19 hub.
The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a toolkit for employers to help ensure employees get reliable information about COVID-19 vaccines.
Access the toolkit to get materials for you to run internal awareness campaigns, including key messages, posters, fact sheets and videos providing accurate, up-to-date information.
EU TRADE
If you are a UK business which trades with Europe, keep track of the latest changes and developments via FSB's transition hub.
NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
SBI shows shortages impact
FSB’s Small Business Index report for Q2 2021 has been published, and lays bare the impact of rising costs and skills shortages. FSB National Chair Mike Cherry called for the Government to “urgently move to mitigate cost pressures by reducing Employer NICs, which are serving as a jobs tax and yet another cost to think about in an environment where finding the right people is a nightmare”.
Fall in apprenticeships
There was a fall in the annual number of apprenticeship starts in England, which FSB’s Mike Cherry called “very concerning against a backdrop of chronic skills shortages”. He called on the Government to extend the £3,000 apprenticeship incentive, and to get the apprenticeship levy system right, “to ensure that the funds contributed are shared with firms of all sizes”.
Net zero member survey
As the UK Government sets out its climate change targets, we are surveying members on the steps you have taken to make changes to your business transport use, energy consumption and waste management. This is your chance to influence Government policy and ensure the voice of small businesses are heard. The survey closes on Friday 3 September, and you can complete the survey here.
Digital right-to-work checks extended
Following interventions from FSB, the Government has said that employers can use the Right to Work Scheme via remote access until 5 April 2022, and has “initiated a review of the availability of specialist technology to support a system of digital right to work checks in the future”.
Worker recruitment roadmap
The Home Office has published a sponsorship roadmap for the points-based immigration system, which reveals that it is to focus on establishing a service for small and micro businesses, to make it easier for firms in this category to become sponsors, and a review of fees in Q4 2021. The announcement follows engagement from FSB, after our report last year found that many small firms are priced out of the current system, creating an uneven playing field.
Maternity allowance form updated
The Department for Work and Pensions has issued an updated version of the Maternity Allowance claim form, available here.
Safety marking switchover reprieve
The Government has allowed an extra year for businesses to switch over to the new UKCA marking, with the new deadline 1 January 2023. BEIS is holding a webinar for manufacturers on 2 September to explain the new rules around safety markings.
Contactless limit rising to £100
The limit for contactless transactions will rise to £100 from its current level of £45 on 15 October. UK Finance says that the new limit will take time to be rolled out to all retailers, as terminals will need to be updated.
Feasibility studies deadline
If you are intending to apply for a share of £1.5 million to carry out international feasibility studies, provided by Innovate UK, act fast – the deadline for bids is next Friday (3 September).
New law to protect Scottish retail workers
The Protection of Workers Act came into effect in Scotland on Tuesday, creating a new standalone offence of assaulting or abusing a retail worker, with tougher penalties attached. Retail groups and unions have called for a similar law to be introduced in England.
Widening your talent pool event
The Lord Mayor of the City of London is holding an event at Mansion House in London on 23 September, in partnership with The Corbett Network for Prisoner Re-integration, to encourage employers to look into employing ex-offenders, aiming to “help shift attitudes and perceptions among employers”. Sign up for your free place here.
Insurers warned over value for money
The FCA has issued a warning to insurance firms over their readiness to implement new rules “to ensure insurance provides fair value”. The rules come into effect on 1 October, and are part of a wider move by the Authority “to tackle the loyalty penalty and ensure that firms focus on providing fair value to all their customers”, it said.
JOIN BIG VOICE AND MAKE YOUR BUSINESS HEARD
Big Voice is FSB's unique online research community for members. By responding to one of our surveys, members give us the evidence we need to engage with politicians around the world on the subjects that matter to you.