The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released its annual figures for work-related fatal injuries for 2017/18, as well as the number of people known to have died from the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, in 2016. The provisional annual data for work-related fatal injuries revealed that 144 workers were fatally injured between April 2017 and March 2018 (a rate of 0.45 per 100,000 workers). Although this represents an increase of nine fatalities from 2016/17, there has been a long-term reduction in the number of fatalities since 1981 ... Continue reading

The Business and Energy Secretary, Greg Clark, has announced a range of measures to place the UK at the forefront of the global shift towards clean growth as part of its Industrial Strategy. Following a speech by the Prime Minister last month, Greg Clark outlined how the government will deliver the Clean Growth Grand Challenge’s first ‘mission’ to halve the energy use of new buildings by 2030. Building on the momentum of ambitious energy efficiency measures within the public sector, the Secretary of State announced that central governme... Continue reading

Legislation that implements tax policies announced in recent fiscal events has been published in draft in the form of the Finance Bill 2018-2019. This legislation continues the government’s commitment to a competitive and fair tax system. Mel Stride, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Britain is one of the best places in the world to do business, and we’re determined to see that continue.This legislation illustrates our commitment to creating an environment in which innovation and enterprise can thrive, while ensuring that ev... Continue reading

Increasing costs, shrinking talent pools, reduced flexibility and legal challenges to status assessments are among the hurdles that firms are expected to have to navigate if the Off-Payroll tax reaches the private sector. This prediction comes following a survey of more than 2,000 public and private sector contractors by contracting authority ContractorCalculator. Key findings revealed:  94% of contractors would avoid contracts placing them ‘inside IR35’ and 25% would never take a contract ‘inside IR35’; 73% would only accept ‘i... Continue reading

ACAS has offered some top tips to help employers manage workplace challenges caused by the hot weather. "The sizzling weather may be ideal for the beach but staff getting into work during one of the hottest weeks of the year may not feel the same way,” said ACAS Senior Guidance Adviser, John Palmer. "Certain workers may be adversely affected by the extreme heat such as pregnant women and elderly employees. The heat can impact public transport too, which can affect employees commuting into work. "Our advice offers some top tips for employ... Continue reading