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When setting up in business it can be easy to
inadvertently break the law. Ignorance is no
defence, so check out the following to ensure
you're keeping inside the law.
Did you know for example that if you use a
trading name, you must state on all correspondence
your connection with the company eg Proprietor,
partner, manager etc. If you're using headed paper
consider getting proprietor or partners' names
printed at the bottom of each sheet.
Business Regulation Update - October 2008
A number of important business laws came into force last week
To save business time and money Government departments now issue all their changes to business regulations on only two dates per year - 6 April and 1 October. This is part of the Government's overall approach to promote better regulation, regulating only where necessary, doing so in a proportionate and targeted way, and reducing bureaucracy wherever possible.
Small businesses have estimated that up to 10% of time - or £628 million per year - can be saved through changes to the law being announced on two 'common commencement dates'. Business and Competitiveness Minister Shriti Vadera said: "Business asked the Government for Common Commencement dates. They help companies to plan ahead and save money.
"Many of the important changes coming into effect this October bring significant benefits for businesses. For example, abolishing the need to display insurance certificates and simplifying information requirements for firms will save them about £80million. Certain regulation is necessary to protect people and businesses across the UK. It ensures a level playing field, promotes competition and allows markets to operate effectively.
"However, we do understand that regulation is a concern for business. This is why we are driving forward an ambitious programme to save business and the third sector £3.5 billion in administrative costs by 2010."
In order to help companies adapt quickly and easily to the new rules, simplified guidance for implementing the new regulations has been designed with the help of business. This has been distributed through trade and professional organisations to over a million businesses of all sizes. The most significant changes coming into force are:
- The minimum wage for workers aged 22 and over will increase from £5.52 to £5.73. The rate for 18-21 year olds will rise from £4.60 to £4.77, while 16 and 17 year olds will see an increase from £3.40 to £3.53 per hour.
- A requirement for all tobacco products to carry graphic picture warnings to illustrate the devastating effects that tobacco can have on health.
- Further provisions of the Companies Act 2006 which improve company law and reduce burdens on companies. For example: changes will crackdown on company name "squatters" - businesses that find their trading names have been registered at Companies House as company names by so-called squatters can now challenge for ownership of the name.
- The final parts of the Consumer Credit Act 2006 which protects consumers and puts in place a more level playing field for businesses in the credit market. For example: lenders will have to provide consumers with better information about their debts (such as loans, credit cards or store cards).
- Removing rules that require physical copies of Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance certificates to be displayed and retained for 40 years. Businesses will now be able to do this electronically.
- All estate agents will be required to join a redress scheme. The scheme will be transparent, independent and fair. It will speedily resolve complaints and will have the power to award compensation to consumers.
- "Doorstep selling" regulations will protect people when they buy products and services from traders at home. The new rules give people a legal right of seven days in which they can change their mind. Previously, people only had these cancellation rights if a trader's visit was not pre-arranged.
- Measures to further tighten UK strategic export controls - including stricter controls for trading in cluster munitions, and extending controls for small arms and Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) so that they apply to UK citizens anywhere in the world.
The key government Departments which introduce business regulations on the 6 April and 1 October are BERR, DEFRA,
Communities and Local Government, Home Office, HSE and Food Standards Agency. The new regulations can be found
at http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/ccd Approximately 50 changes will come into force, but the vast majority of these
are small technical amendments needed to update existing rules and will have no impact on most businesses.
Creating Careers
vision2learn, from Creating Careers is an exciting new way to learn and gain accredited qualifications online.
You can get in to your study area through any Internet-connected PC – at home, work
or wherever you have access to a computer. Your study area contains all of your online
course materials, assessments and user guidelines, as well as messages from your tutor
and an online café where you can chat to other learners.
vision2learn courses are presented in an interactive and user-friendly format,
with clear learning outcomes and online support material. But if you do feel you
need a bit if extra help, online support from a college tutor is just a click away.
Your vision2learn course will be supported by a college near you and they will
allocate your tutor.
vision2learn courses are nationally recognised qualifications that are eligible for
funding. This means that provided you are over the age of 16 and living in England,
there are no fees – you study for free.
Courses are currently available in Personal Development, Business Development, IT and Sport & Leisure
My recommendation is to take their free online course about starting a business
entitled "Entrepreneurship", which leads to the accredited qualification NCFE
Advanced Certificate in Preparation for Business and demonstrates your professional
skill to your bank manager, business associates and customers.
This course is made up of four units, as follows:
Find out if you’re emotionally, mentally and financially ready for business start-up. Identify your personal needs and expectations, review your skills needs and evaluate your finances.
- Unit two - Your business idea
Learn how to prepare an excellent business plan, find out how to set achievable goals and select an appropriate legal status for your business.
- Unit three - Your marketplace
You’ll develop practical market research skills and learn how to make the right marketing decisions for your product or service.
- Unit four - Your business operations
Develop your business plan into practical action plans, build a pre start-up timetable and find out how to achieve operational success by matching financial, human and material resources against your business goals.
Click here for more details and to register
Make It Happen
One frequent question I'm asked is about the nuts and bolts of running
a business - choosing and setting up a business, finding customers,
promotion and of course legal aspects like tax, national insurance,
data protection and VAT. This new 6 part British course
explains all these matters in a simple, easy to understand way and is
written by UK-based mail order professionals who
have been operating full-time successful home based businesses for many years. Full details and application
form available from http://www.homeworkinguk.com/mih.pdf
or e-mail for a copy.
Desktop
Lawyer, the UK's award winning online legal
service, gives you access to legal information and
documents prepared by top barristers and
solicitors. Use this service in the comfort of your
own home or office, in your own time, and at a
price solicitors will find impossible to beat.
LAW
on the WEB - a free legal information,
guidance and gateway site for individuals and small
businesses - devised, built and maintained by a
solicitor formerly in private practice in the UK.
Small Claims Court Service:
You can now process a claim online through this new small claims court
service.
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