The government is being called upon to reconsider the apprenticeship levy, in force since April 2017, after new statistics released by the Department for Education reveal a dramatic drop in apprenticeship starts. Since the levy’s introduction, all employers with an annual wage bill of more than £3m have been required to pay an apprenticeship levy. The levy is charged at 0.5% of the amount by which the wage bill exceeds £3m. Employers receive an allowance of £15,000 to offset against the payment of the levy. All employers are able to acce... Continue reading

The Government Equalities Office has issued new guidance for employers who set dress codes and employees and job applicants who may have to abide by them. This guidance, Dress codes and sex discrimination: what you need to know, has been written following a recommendation from the Parliamentary Women and Equalities Select Committee and the Petitions Committee. It sets out how the law might apply in cases of sex discrimination where an employer requires female staff to wear, for instance, high heels, make-up, hair of a particular length or sty... Continue reading

Following Mental Health Awareness Week, The Health Insurance Group is encouraging employers to give staff more support with looking after their physical health – in turn having a positive impact on their mental wellbeing. The Group provides the following advice. Link between physical and mental health There is a growing body of evidence to support long-held beliefs that mental and physical health are inextricably linked. Research finds that being physically active can reduce someone’s risk of depression by up to 30%, stating that physical... Continue reading

Every year, huge amounts of incident investigation findings and operational health and safety data are collected globally. The Lloyd’s Register Foundation (LRF) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), supported by the Thomas Ashton Institute, are running an ambitious new programme, Discovering Safety, which aims to substantially improve health and safety and ultimately save lives. The team has been working with industry, trade groups, international networks, governments, academia and other stakeholders to identify health and safety challe... Continue reading

A new Environmental Principles and Governance Bill will ensure environmental protections will not be weakened as the UK leaves the EU, the government has confirmed. A consultation has started on the contents of the Environmental Principles and Governance Bill, which will establish a world-leading body to hold government to account for environmental outcomes. Subject to consultation, the new body could specifically be responsible for: providing independent scrutiny and advice on existing and future government environmental law and policy; ... Continue reading