Future Employment Law Changes
Vetting and barring scheme introduced - Date to be confirmed
A scaled back vetting and barring scheme for individuals working with children and vulnerable adults is introduced. The Protection of Freedoms Bill amends the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 by abolishing registration with the scheme and monitoring requirements. It maintains a barring scheme but redefines the activities to which the scheme applies. The Protection of Freedoms Bill, (PDF format 595K) can be viewed on the UK Parliament website and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 can be viewed on the UK legislation website..
Parental leave increases from three to four months - 8 March 2012
The minimum parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child increases from three to four months. At least one of the four months will not be transferable between parents. Member states have until 8 March 2012 to bring this into force.
Personal Accounts scheme starts up under Pensions Act 2008 - October 2012
The Pensions Act 2008 provides that employers must enrol automatically all eligible employees not already participating in a workplace pension scheme into the employer's pension scheme or the new personal accounts scheme under the National Employment Savings Trust pension scheme. The threshold for automatic enrolment is aligned with the personal allowance for income tax. Employers are not required automatically to enrol individuals employed for under 12 weeks. To encourage participation, employees’ pension contributions will be supplemented by employers' contributions and tax relief. Details of the scheme can be viewed on the DWP website. The Pensions Act 2008 can be viewed on the UK legislation website.
School leaving age is raised to 17 - 2013
The Education and Skills Act 2008 changes the statutory framework to put a duty on all young people in England to participate in education or training until the age of 17 (increasing to 18 in 2015). It also amends legislation about the provision of adult education and training, and support for young people. The Act can be viewed on the UK legislation website.
Flexible working for all employees - 2015
The Government will extend the right to request flexible working to all employees. Currently, the right applies to those who have one or more children under the age of 17 (18 if a child is disabled) or who are carers. The Coalition: our programme for government (PDF format, 475K) (on the Cabinet Office website) sets outs the Government's five-year plan.
School leaving age is raised to 18 - 2015
The Education and Skills Act 2008 changes the statutory framework to put a duty on all young people in England to participate in education or training until the age of 18. The Act can be viewed on the UK legislation website.
"Flexible" maternity and paternity leave is introduced - 2015
Changes are made to maternity and paternity leave to give parents more flexibility as to when they take time off. It is expected that the changes will allow both parents to take leave at the same time, instead of the mother having to have returned to work before the father can take additional paternity leave, and allow parents to take time off in blocks, rather than all in one go.
Equalisation of state pension age for women - April 2016
The state pension age for women is equalised with the state pension age for men by November 2018, with an expedited increase from April 2016.
State pension age rises to 66 years
December 2018 - The Pensions Act 2007 raises the state pension age from 65 to 66 years to reflect the ageing nature of the population. The rise in the state pension age to 66 for men and women begins gradually from December 2018 until April 2020. The Pensions Act 2007 also raises the state pension age to 67 and 68. The Act can be viewed on the OPSI website.
State pension age rises to 67 years - Between 2034 and 2036
The Pensions Act 2007 raises the state pension age for men and women to 67. This will occur between April 2034 and April 2036. The Act can be viewed on the OPSI website.
State pension age rises to 68 years - Between 2044 and 2046
The Pensions Act 2007 raises the state pension age for men and women to 68. This will occur between April 2044 and April 2046. The Act can be viewed on the OPSI website.
All information is general and further information should be sought through HR Practical Solutions Ltd or an Employment Law practitioner.
