New Legislation:

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Statutory Redundancy Pay
It has finally been confirmed that the maximum rate of a week’s pay for the purposes of statutory redundancy payments will rise to £380 from 1 October 2009. The increase was announced in the 2009 Budget but no confirmation had been given as to when this rise would take place. It was also announced that the increased weekly pay limit will be used to calculate compensation for unfair dismissals and other claims, and will come into force from the same date. The change to the maximum week’s pay usually comes into force on 1 February each year but there will be no increase in February 2010 because of the October change.
(1 October 2009)

National Minimum Wage
The development rate for 16-17 year olds will increase from £3.53 per hour to £3.57 per hour.
The development rate for 18-21 year olds will increase from £4.77 per hour to £4.83 per hour.
The main rate for employees aged 22 and above will increase from £5.73 per hour to £5.80 per hour.
The rate for the accommodation offset will increase to £31.57 per week.
16-17 year old apprentices are exempt from the young employees rate.
(1 October 2009)

National Minimum Wage
Since1 October 2009 it is no longer possible for employers to count tips and service charges towards the national minimum wage.
(1 October 2009)

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Act 2006
Independent Safeguarding Authority to vet all individuals, including volunteers, wishing to work with children and vulnerable adults.
(1 October 2009)

Unfair Dismissal
Basic award and Redundancy pay = £11,400
Compensatory award = £66,200
Additional award = £9,880-£19,760 (ie 26-52 weeks' pay).
There is no compensatory award limit for health and safety or protected disclosure reasons.
(The basic award was uprated on 1 October 2009, but the compensatory award will be increased on 1 February 2010).
(October 2009 / 1 February 2010)

Rate of statutory guarantee payments
There is a limit of £21.20 per day (from 1 February 2010) on the guarantee payment rate, giving a maximum guarantee payment of £106 for five workless days.
(February 2010)

Statutory Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Pay
The Government has announced that Statutory Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Pay will increase from the current rate of £123.06 to £124.88 from 4 April 2010.
(4 April 2010)

SSP
Since April 2009 has been £79.15 a week (for 28 weeks in any 3 years).
There will be no increase in SSP this April (2010).
(April 2010)

Equality Bill
Consolidation and extension of law, including age discrimination applied to provision of goods and services.
(April 2010)

Transfer of Maternity Leave
Transfer of maternity leave to fathers as 26 weeks max- additional paternity leave (26 weeks APL).
(Extension of maternity and adoption pay from 39 to 52 weeks deferred)
(April 2010, but in force April 2011)

National Minimum Wage
The rate for under 18 year olds above compulsory school age will increase from £3.57 per hour to £3.64 per hour.
The rate for 18-20 year olds will increase to £4.92 per hour (previously £4.83 for workers aged 18-21 years).
The main rate for employees aged 21 and above will increase to £5.93 per hour (previously £5.80 for workers aged 22 and above).
The rate for the accommodation offset will increase to maxima of £32.27 per week / £4.61 per day.
A new apprentice rate of £2.50 per hour will be introduced for pay reference periods starting 1 Oct 2010, applicable to apprentices who are either aged under 19, or who are 19 and above but also in the first year of their apprenticeship.
(1 October 2010)

Agency Workers
To receive equal rights to staff employed by end user after 12 weeks engagement.
(October-December 2011)

Pensions Bill
Automatic enrolement of eligible employees into pension schemes with mandatory employer conributions.
(2012)

(Dates) shown are the planned or actual implementation dates.