News

ElectricSafe Explains Electrical Installation Condition Reports

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:12:58 GMT

Looking to make sure your home electrics are safe? Not sure what checks need to be carried out? An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) completed by a competent, registered electrician is designed as a way of making sure the electrical installations in your home are safe. But what does an EICR involve?

An electrician carrying out an EICR would carry out a visual inspection of all socket-outlets, lights, switches, consumer units and wiring.

The EICR requires testing of the installation including whether the Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are operating correctly where installed. RCDs are electrical wiring devices that switch off your electrics when an electrical circuit fault develops in your home, reducing the risk of you getting an electric shock. The electrician will also make sure the earthing system is correct and check that the correct installations are in place for more hazardous environments. For example, an RCD must be fitted for any installation in a bathroom for safety reasons.

So, when do you need to have an EICR carried out on your home?

EICRs are useful for finding out whether an electrical installation is safe. If you are looking to move into a rented property, it is best to check that the property’s electrical installations are safe and legal before moving in. With every change of occupancy in rental properties, an EICR is recommended. This ensures the property is safe for every new tenant. If the landlord has not provided an EICR as part of the rental agreement, you should request that this is carried out.

Similarly, if you are buying rather than renting a property, an EICR is the best way to find out if work needs to be carried out on your new home. For example, if a previous owner has attempted some electrical work on the property themselves and the work completed is installed incorrectly or does not meet the required standards, an EICR would raise any issues before you exchange contracts and move in. If the owner has not provided an EICR as part of the sale, ensure that this is included in the survey of the property.

For existing homeowners, it is recommended you carry out an EICR out every ten years to check that your home electrics are still safe. Any electrical installations over a decade old that haven’t been checked could pose serious risks to yours and you family’s safety. This is because they may have become damaged over time without you realising, if no check has been carried out. Don’t take any risks when it comes to old wiring!

However, there are circumstances where an EICR may be required more frequently than every ten years. For instance, the older an installation is, the more often an EICR should be carried out to ensure that the system is still working correctly and safely. If your wiring is more than 25 years old, for example, it is possible that the house will need completely rewiring. Having an EICR carried out on the property will tell you whether this is the case.

If your property suffers from damp conditions, it’s advisable to consider more regular checks. For any area that may be affected by damp, make sure the electrician inspecting your property is made aware of this during their checks.

If you are concerned about the condition of any of your electrical installations, it is sensible to get an EICR carried out on your property by a competent electrician who is registered to carry out an EICR’s. This provides you with that piece of mind of knowing you and your family are safe in your home.

ElectricSafe is a register of competent electricians in England and Wales who meet strict qualification requirements and are regularly assessed to ensure their ongoing competence.

To search for an ElectricSafe electrician in your local area, visit the website at www.electricsaferegister.co.uk.

-ENDS-

Office contact details

info@electricsaferegister.co.uk

Tel: 0845 543 0353

www.electricsaferegister.co.uk

Should you require an image to accompany this release please contact the Marketing Department. ElectricSafe has a set PR budget and unfortunately is unlikely to agree to pay for any supporting images to be reproduced. The aim of releases generated by ElectricSafe is to inform, educate and improve the safety of industry as a whole.

Notes to Editor

ElectricSafe is a new brand and register, designed to make it easy for homeowners, landlords and tenants to identify competent, registered electricians. The Register strives to establish a single, easily recognisable name the British public can trust with their home electrics.

This register will be open to all electricians registered with one of the official, DCLG approved, Competent Person Scheme providers operating within the electrical industry.

Please forward all reader enquiries to:

ElectricSafe

Marketing Department

4^th Floor, Mill 3

Pleasley Vale Business Park

Mansfield

Nottinghamshire

NG19 8RL

Email: info@electricsaferegister.co.uk

Telephone: 01623 812971

Green Deal could stall without SME support

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:35:25 GMT

Small building companies need fairer access to the Green Deal (GD) market if the shortage of installers is to be addressed, warns the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to the latest statistics from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

Almost 19,000 GD assessments were carried out as of the end of April 2013, yet there are only 942 GD installer companies approved to carry out this work – nowhere near enough to deliver energy-efficiency improvements to Britain’s 26 million existing homes by 2050.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “There are more than 240,000 companies in the construction industry that employ fewer than 14 people. These companies are often best placed to carry out Green Deal work, but because it is difficult to access the market, they are reluctant to train the number of approved installers needed to retrofit Britain’s building stock.”

To help address this, the FMB today launches its ‘Strategy for the Low Carbon Building and Refurbishment Market’, which is aimed at encouraging and supporting its members to engage with and participate in this rapidly growing market.

Berry continued: “Our new strategy will help increase opportunities for SMEs in the low-carbon refurbishment market. Today’s statistics from DECC show our strategy is well timed. The Green Deal has now been open for business for almost four months and demand for work under the initiative appears to be growing, but it still feels like a missed opportunity to the majority of SMEs in the industry who haven’t seen any sign of transformation in the energy-efficiency market.”

Berry concluded: “As part of our strategy, the FMB will not only continue to call for the incentives needed to create consumer demand for energy-efficiency work, but will also ensure that FMB members have timely access to relevant high-quality training and certification services to enable them to develop their businesses to be able to respond to low-carbon work opportunities.”

Notes to editors

To read the FMB’s ‘Strategy for the Low Carbon Building and Refurbishment Market’ in full, please visit bit.ly/14jll8u.

For more information on the benefits of FMB membership including the FMB route to certification please visit www.fmb.org.uk/certfication, call 020 7092 3891 or email certification@fmb.org.uk.

About the FMB

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is the UK's largest trade association in the building industry, with almost 10,000 members. Established in 1941 to protect the interests of small and medium-sized (SME) building firms, the FMB is independent and non-profit-making, lobbying continuously for members’ interests at both national and local levels. The FMB is a source of knowledge, professional advice and support for its members, providing a range of modern and relevant business building services to save them time and money. The FMB also offers advice to consumers via its find a builder and check a builder websites. Please also visit www.fmb.org.uk.

Press contact:

MATT BRERETON
Public Relations Manager

Federation of Master Builders

T : 020 7092 3844

M: 07769 687 235

E: mattbrereton@fmb.org.uk

Specialist Contractors Remain Optimistic Despite Falling Workloads

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:18:25 GMT

Specialist Contractors continue to face difficult trading conditions according to the latest NSCC State of Trade Survey. The results for the first quarter of 2013 show a fall in the number of orders with 27% of respondents reporting an increase, down 9% from the previous quarter. There has been a small increase in enquiries with 41% reporting that enquiries are up compared to 39% in the previous quarter; however, it remains to be seen whether these will be successfully converted into increased orders.

This has impacted on capacity levels with the number of Specialist Contractors reporting working at over 90% capacity falling from 40% to 27% over the last quarter. Nevertheless, businesses in the sector remain optimistic with 47% expecting their workloads to increase over the next quarter, up from 33% in the previous quarter. The longer term outlook is also positive with 48% anticipating increased workloads over the next year compared to just 11% who expect their workloads to decrease.

Late payment is still the most important issue affecting Specialist Contractors with just 8% being paid within 30 days. NSCC has recently released a statement condemning extended payment terms of as long as 120 days as ‘grossly unfair’, and a member of the Contract Flooring Association (CFA) explained that the decision by certain main contractors to extend payment terms ‘

under the banner of helping their supply chain

’ has exacerbated the problems caused by a lack of finance and reluctance by the banks to support SMEs. All Specialist Contractors are advised to check any agreement which provides for extended payment terms and where appropriate challenge them on the grounds that they are ‘grossly unfair’.

NSCC Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol MBE said:

"The appalling state of cash flow within the industry is not good for business, particularly in the current difficult market. The Government clearly recognises that in order to stimulate growth within the economy cash must flow through the supply chain. For too long it has been Specialist Contractors that have effectively funded the industry and payment performance must improve to the benefit of all parties.

"NSCC contributes its findings to the State of Trade Survey published by the Construction Products Association, enabling the experiences of the specialist sector to be compared with the wider industry.

~ Ends ~

For further information, contact NSCC:

T: 0844 249 5351

E: enquiries@nscc.org.uk

The full State of Trade report can be viewed by clicking on NSCC State of Trade Report: 2013 Q1

Government launches balance of competences review on transport

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:15:21 GMT

The government has today published a call for evidence on the balance of competence between the United Kingdom and the European Union on transport.

The Foreign Secretary launched the balance of competence review in Parliament on 12 July 2012, taking forward the coalition commitment to examine the balance of competences between the UK and the European Union.

The Department for Transport is leading on the strand of the review covering transport and is seeking views from individuals and groups with an interest or experience in transport policy and its application on how the competence is used and what that means for Britain.

The public call for evidence on transport will run for 12 weeks from 14 May to 6 August 2013. Following the call for evidence, a report on the current balance of competence on transport and what this means for the national interest will be published by the end of the year.

The above article is intended for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Trade Association Forum.

Record £440 million funding for innovative companies

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:10:42 GMT

The Technology Strategy Board, the UK’s innovation agency, has a record £440 million budget this year to support innovative businesses and drive growth across the UK.

Universities and Science Minister David Willetts will confirm today this funding boost which represents an increase of more than £50 million on last year.

The 2013-14 Delivery Plan sets out the Board’s priorities for the coming year as part of their commitment to knowledge sharing and collaboration. It also explains how businesses will be able to access an even wider range of support across the entire innovation journey.

Technology areas that will benefit from the investment include renewable energy, future cities, advanced materials, satellites, digital technologies and healthcare.

David Willetts said:

The UK has some of the most innovative business in the world. The £440 million budget means that there will be more funding available than ever before for businesses across the country to bid for and help turn their ideas into reality – bridging the so called ‘valley of death’.

The Technology Strategy Board is making a real difference in driving growth and keeping the UK at the forefront of the global race for innovation. Over 60 per cent of funding is going to small and medium sized businesses, meaning that there are great opportunities for businesses to thrive, grow and generate jobs.

The Technology Strategy Board works across business, academia and government, helping companies take ideas through to commercialisation. Independent research shows that every £1 invested by the Technology Strategy Board returns £7 to the UK economy.

The Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, Iain Gray, said:

Everything we do is driven by the desire to help UK business bring new ideas and technologies to market and so support economic growth. This Delivery Plan outlines the range of ways in which we do that, from direct funding through to access to expertise, facilities and finance. The UK is a dynamic, innovative place to live and do business. The Technology Strategy Board aims to make it the very best place to innovate.

The Delivery Plan sets out how the Technology Strategy Board will, over the next 12 months, enable businesses to overcome challenges such as access to finance, knowledge, skills and equipment. It will also open up opportunities for UK innovation to access wider, global markets such as India, China and Brazil through its Missions, involvement in EU programmes and bilateral agreements with other countries.

The Delivery Plan sets out commitments to invest over £300 million through 75 new competitions that will help fund innovative projects across the economy. Some £55 million will go to programmes in the Healthcare sector, £25 million to Energy, £20 million to Transport and £25 million to support initiatives in High Value Manufacturing.

The funding will be allocated to a wide range of tools and programmes that enable organisations to access support in many different ways.

SMEs remain a key focus, with a number of support mechanisms. The budget for the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) will be increased to £100 million in 2013/14 and £200 million the following year. This gives SMEs access to public sector procurement contracts. The innovation vouchers scheme, which gives businesses the chance to access specialist expertise, will be expanded, and the SMART awards budget, at £40 million, will continue to provide SMEs with grants to allow them access to new markets and invest in R&D.

The Technology Strategy Board will increase its work with other innovation partners to help firms find and access support in areas such as finance, intellectual property and mentoring.

The Technology Strategy Board will also continue to invest in the national network of Catapults, world leading centres of innovation and expertise where companies large and small can use state-of-the-art equipment and technologies to develop new products and services.

The above article is intended for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Trade Association Forum.

Export Week to help firms target high growth markets

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:06:26 GMT

Export Week, between 13th -17th May, is a nationwide, week-long, series of events with the theme of high growth markets.

Launched by the Prime Minister in November 2011, Export Week is an initiative to boost the number of small businesses that export. The government has set a national target of getting 100,000 more British SMEs exporting over the next 5 years.

Export Week is a major component of the National Challenge and is part of a concerted campaign led by Lord Green to increase the number of British companies who export, from current levels of around 20 per cent to 25 per cent or more. By increasing the number of companies who export by roughly a quarter, about £36 billion could be added to the UK economy.

Trade & Investment Minister Lord Green said:

Companies of all sizes are increasingly winning business abroad proving that exporting is not just for the large firms.

Research conclusively shows businesses that export become more innovative, more productive and achieve a level of growth that would not otherwise be possible.

Our future prosperity rests on UK companies doing business abroad. I hope that Export Week will encourage companies not already doing so to think about trading abroad.

Events throughout the week will include seminars on high value opportunities in these markets, international finance and trade workshops, training on international marketing and utilising websites, targeted market days and much more.

Ambassadors from many of the high growth markets around the world will be available at a number of the events to personally advise on and explain the benefits of doing business in their markets. They will be joined by experienced businesspeople who are already trading abroad.

UKTI trade advisors will be on hand to advise both inexperienced and experienced exporters on how to get started and expand into High Growth Markets. Experienced exporters will also be available to relate how international trade helped their businesses become more profitable.

The above article is intended for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Trade Association Forum.

Micro business boost will transform the economy

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:03:22 GMT

Helping thousands more new businesses get off the ground by expanding the Government’s Start-Up loan scheme and opening up further the £230 billion worth of public sector contracts to the smallest businesses will help boost growth and transform the economy according to the Prime Minister’s enterprise adviser, Lord Young.

In his second report to the Prime Minister, Growing your Business: A report on Growing Micro Businesses, Lord Young highlights the increasing importance that micro businesses – those which have less than 10 employees – have on the success of the economy. Making up 95% of all businesses, he identifies steps the Government can take to help them develop their confidence and capability to grow, helping the UK to get ahead in the global race.

He recommends removing the age cap – currently set at 30 years old – for the Government’s Start-Up loan scheme, so that all entrepreneurs that would otherwise struggle to secure the necessary finance and support can benefit.

The Start-Up loan scheme helps get business ideas off the ground with a loan of typically around £4,500 and mentoring support. It has exceeded expectations by 50% in its first year, with 3,768 loans worth around £16m now issued since its launch in the autumn. Many of these new businesses are now taking on their own employees.

Further recommendations in Lord Young’s report include:

Legislating to abolish pre qualification questionnaires (PQQ) on contracts under €200k across the public sector, and setting “single market” principles which suppliers can expect when doing business with the public sector. These principles would simplify and standardise the bidding, payment and advertising of contracts, and would remove the complexity, cost and inconsistency when trying to sell to more than one local authority or public sector body. This would help SMEs further access the £230 billion per year that is spent on goods and services across the whole public sector.
A £30m Growth Voucher programme to encourage more small firms to get specialist help on: expanding their workforce; marketing a business; financial management and growing online. Businesses that use external advice at key stages in their development grow faster than those that do not - but too few are taking this up.
A greater role for business schools in the local economy with the establishment of a new national “Supporting Small Business Charter” and accompanying award scheme to incentivise business schools to help SMEs grow. This will include advising small firms and increasing the flow of highly qualified students and graduates into SMEs. Business schools could also become a key part of the referral process and provision of Start-Up Loans and Growth Vouchers.
Enabling the private sector to provide advice to SMEs on the Government’s website GOV.UK and releasing the online SME advice that the Government holds after the closure of the Business Link website to third party providers for them to rebuild and improve.
Better marketing of Government schemes to support new and developing businesses by ensuring they are properly resourced and targeted at the small firms that need them most.

The Government will now take these recommendations forward.

Lord Young said:

We have one of the best environments in the world for the creation of new firms. What this report endeavours to do is to help and encourage all those new firms to now take on their first employees and grow.

Growing our smallest businesses would transform our economy – they are the vital 95%. If just half of the UK’s micro businesses took on an additional member of staff, unemployment would be reduced to almost zero. We need to raise the aspirations and confidence of these businesses and give them the tools to grow.

Prime Minister David Cameron said:

It is very much true that Lord Young brings solutions to the table – his excellent report highlights the steps we can take to fire up business growth, helping to boost our competitiveness and ensuring the UK can get ahead in the fierce global race we are in. I thank him very much for his report.

Business Minister Michael Fallon said:

We are supporting ambitious small firms to grow, create jobs and achieve their goals. Whether that’s by providing access to mentoring and advice, cutting red tape or through successful schemes like Start-Up Loans. But we are determined to go further and faster: Lord Young’s important report sets out a series of practical steps that can make a real difference to entrepreneurs across the country.

James Caan, Chairman of Start-Up Loans and serial entrepreneur said:

I very much welcome the recommendations from Lord Young’s report to make Start-Up Loans available for everyone in this country. His vision to get Britain’s economy back on track through supporting SMEs and start-ups is something I passionately believe in and wholeheartedly support. The success of Start-Up Loans to date - an initiative that Lord Young has championed in Government - demonstrates the country’s need for such ambitious thinking.

The above article is intended for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Trade Association Forum.

New bill proposes reformed intellectual property laws in the UK

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:58:34 GMT

UK businesses who want to protect their products and technologies through patents and design rights will be better off as a result of a new Intellectual Property Bill tabled recently by Intellectual Property (IP) Minister Lord Younger.

The Bill, published a few days ago, proposes changes that would help businesses to better understand what is protected under the law, reduce the need for costly litigation, and provide greater certainty for investors in new designs and technologies.

Key elements of the Bill include:

New powers to enable the UK to implement the Unitary Patent Court Agreement. The Court is a central part in introducing a single patent across almost all EU countries. It is estimated that this would lead to direct benefits to business of up to £40 million per year. It is also anticipated that the London Court, which will adjudicate on pharmaceutical and life sciences patent disputes, will benefit the economy an estimated £200 million per annum.
The introduction of criminal penalties for copying UK registered designs and the strengthening of design protection. This is already the case for copyright and trademark disputes and brings parity to this area of IP law.
Proposals for a designs opinion service and an expanded patents opinions service. This would allow design or patent rights holders, or anyone else to ask the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to provide an expert opinion on whether a UK design or patent is valid or being infringed. This will help businesses assess the strength of their case before embarking on more formal and costly legal proceedings, and may help avoid litigation altogether.

Business Secretary, Vince Cable said:

Figures show that UK business invests nearly £16 billion in design each year, which represents 1.1% of GDP. The changes in this Bill are to help SMEs and innovative businesses get on and grow. By reforming and simplifying IP rules and making them easier to understand, we aim to help businesses protect their innovations more easily.

Minister for Intellectual Property, Lord Younger said:

The measures we are publishing to reform IP law are more evolution than revolution. Cutting red tape for SMEs, making laws easier to understand, and helping to speed up the granting of patents internationally will all help business in the UK. Our smallest businesses in particular, will benefit to protect their creative ideas and to further encourage them to grow.

One of the keys initiatives we have outlined today is the introduction of criminal sanctions for deliberate copying of registered designs. This will be a deterrent to those who deliberately copy UK registered designs and provide greater protection for our hugely important design sector.

Other measures include:

Allowing the sharing of information, between international patent offices, on unpublished patent applications to help clear existing backlogs and speed up clearance times. As a result, UK businesses who also apply for European, US and Japanese patents, in addition to a UK patents, could increase the value of their patents by £4.2million per annum.
Allowing the UK to join the Hague system. This is an international designs registration system which allows applicants to designate the countries in which they wish their design to be registered. Currently, registration for six countries, taking account of the cost of translation, notary and other fees could add up to £7,500. Through the Hague system this would cost £500 for a business.
Patent owners will have the option of marking their patented products with a web address which links to the details of the relevant patent number rather than having to put the patent numbers directly on the product in order to get maximum protection. This change will reduce the burdens on businesses and individuals who own patents, whilst also making it easier for the public to access up-to-date patent information in relation to a particular product.
The introduction of a new exemption in the Freedom of Information Act for continuing programmes of research intended for future publication. This will provide researchers with clarity and certainty and the opportunity to validate and analyse their results before putting them into the public domain or before any related patents have been granted.

CEO of Anti Copying in Design (ACID) and Vice Chair of the Alliance for Intellectual Property, Dids Macdonald, said:

It’s great that the Government has taken a positive first step to protect designers against design copying with a proposal to introduce criminal sanctions for deliberate registered design infringement; this will encourage more designers to register their designs. However, we hope that in the future this will apply to those who rely on unregistered rights, which comprise the majority of designers in this country.

Law Society Chair, IP Working Party, Isabel Davies, said:

The Law Society IP Group is delighted that the Government recognises the value of intellectual property to the economy of the UK. Currently detailed discussions are taking place amongst all interested parties to ensure that a fair and balanced regime which fits in with pan- European legislation and protects intellectual property in the UK is included in UK and European legislation.

A copy of the Bill can be found here.

The above article is intended for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Trade Assocation Forum.

Discover How Asbestos Training with NAPIT Could Help You Avoid the UK’s No. 1 Workplace Killer

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:07:08 GMT

NAPIT have launched a new asbestos awareness course, designed to educate at-risk installers on the hazards associated with coming in to contact with this potentially deadly material.

Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work related deaths in the UK and asbestos awareness training is a requirement in the UK under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (2012).

This half-day course will provide the awareness necessary for you to avoid asbestos, deal with it appropriately when it is encountered, and comply with legal requirements.

This training is mandatory for anyone liable to be exposed to asbestos fibres at work. A wide range of tradespeople fall into this category as around eight joiners, six electricians and four plumbers per week die from asbestos related diseases.[1]

Inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause a variety of serious diseases, all of which are incurable and ultimately fatal. This makes awareness of how it can be identified, where it can be found and what to do if you come into contact with it of vital importance.

Asbestos was not formally banned (in all its forms) until 1999. However, existing asbestos product installations, provided that they are not likely to be disturbed or damaged, are still legal. Moreover, its excellent insulation properties also mean that it was used prolifically prior to this date. The result is that asbestos can be found almost anywhere in UK buildings.

This course aims to raise awareness and encourage avoidance. It is not appropriate for those looking to become asbestos removal professionals. It covers the; properties of asbestos, effects on health, risk avoidance, emergency procedures, legislation, types, uses and likely locations.

NAPIT asbestos awareness training is approved by the Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP), an organisation that works in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This means our training has been independently audited to demonstrate compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations (2012).

For more information and to book your place, visit the NAPIT training website at: www.napittraining.co.uk or call: 0845 543 0330.

-ENDS-

Office contact details:

info@napit.org.uk

Tel: 0845 543 0330

www.napit.org.uk

References

1) http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/learning-package/asbestos-lesson-plan.pdf

Notes to Editor

Established for over 20 years, NAPIT has grown into a successful group of companies. NAPIT operate a number of enterprises via a range of business divisions, including:

NAPIT Trade Association - The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT) is a trade association that strives to support and represent its members within the electrical industry.

NAPIT Registration – Operates a portfolio of Competent Person Schemes, appointed by the UK Government under the Building Regulations for England and Wales, allowing for the self-certification of certain electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation work.

NAPIT holds a register of certified electrical installers and experts operating across all fields of electrical work, including; domestic and industrial installations, and periodic inspection reporting & equipment testing.

NAPIT Certification - A division of the NAPIT group that provides:

A UKAS accredited scheme for certificating installers of microgeneration technologies, including; solar thermal hot water, solar photovoltaic, wind turbines, ground and air source heat pumps, small scale hydroelectricity, micro-CHP and biomass heating, all licensed under the UK Government’s Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

A UKAS accredited scheme for certificating Installers and Advisors under the Green Deal, the UK Government’s flagship initiative for improving energy efficiency in British properties.

A scheme for certificating the competence of electrical operatives to the international standard ISO 17024, working with UKAS accredited certification bodies.

NAPIT Inspection - The provision of third party inspection and quality control services in a wide range of technical areas including: electrical installations; gas, oil and solid fuel heating; plumbing, ventilation, kitchen and bathroom fitting; and security systems.

NAPIT Training – With centres approved by City and Guilds, Blueflame Certification (UKAS accredited) and BPEC, NAPIT Training provides courses, assessments and examinations on a range of electrical and renewable energy subjects, including Green Deal Advisor qualifications. NAPIT has a Training and Assessment Centre based in the Midlands and another, fully sustainable renewable training centre, based in the South West of the UK.

Please forward all reader enquiries to:

NAPIT

Marketing Department

4^th Floor, Mill 3

Pleasley Vale Business Park

Mansfield

Nottinghamshire

NG19 8RL

Email: napitnews@napit.org.uk

Telephone: 01623 812971

Email: lewis.wood@napit.org.uk

Disclaimer: The information contained in the e-mail (and any attachment) is strictly confidential and intended for the addressee only. Any unauthorised use, disclosure or replication of information contained within this e-mail (and any attachment) is strictly prohibited and may be actionable via legal proceedings. If you are not the person or organisation to whom it is addressed then you should not take any action in reliance upon it.

[1] http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/learning-package/asbestos-lesson-plan.pdf

Cap On Compensatory Award For Unfair Dismissal

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:40:57 GMT

The past 12 months have seen considerable changes to the law for unfair dismissal, designed to end the number of workplace disputes that go to tribunal. The Government has now published details of its intention to introduce a cap of 12 months’ pay of an employee for payout for unfair dismissal. This month’s article looks at the measure and its implications. The current law where the employment tribunal awards compensation for unfair dismissal is made up of two elements.

1. A basic award.

2. A compensatory award.

The basic award has a current maximum of £12,900 and is calculated using the same formula as statutory redundancy payments. This is based on the employee’s age, length of service and weekly pay. The compensatory award is an amount that the tribunal considers just and equitable for the loss that the employee has suffered because of the dismissal, insofar as the employer is responsible.

It is subject to a statutory maximum (currently £74,200 from 1 February 2013). The maximum is uprated annually using the retail price index.

Operation of the cap

To decide on the appropriate amount for the compensatory award, employment tribunals currently consider the following losses:

■ loss of earnings (past and future)

■ loss of bonus or commission

■ loss of other benefits (e.g company car)

■ loss of pension

■ expenses incurred as a result of the dismissal (e.g travel costs looking for a new job)

■ loss of statutory rights (employment tribunals sometimes award a nominal amount to compensate for the fact the claimant will have to start afresh building up qualifying service for unfair dismissal and redundancy).

If, in taking into account all of the above considerations, the award that is decided on is above

the cap level, then the cap is applied.

It was announced that this change would come into force in the summer of this year; at the time of writing, no precise date for implementation has yet been given.

Reproduced from Croner’s Solutions newsletter, Issue 108, [April 2013], with the permission of the publishers, Wolters Kluwer UK Ltd.

Flexible Working - As It Stands And What To Expect

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:09:53 GMT

The Children and Families Bill is currently being debated in Parliament, one aspect of the Bill relates to shared statutory parental leave. At present, only women are entitled to nine months of paid statutory maternity leave. The Bill proposes to allow both parents to share the statutory maternity leave. A woman will still be required to take the first two weeks as leave following the birth and manual workers will be required to take four weeks following the birth of the child. However, the remainder of the leave may be divided between both parents. Employers will be able to stipulate that leave must be taken in single periods or in non-consecutive periods and eight weeks’ notice of the intention to take the leave must be given. Parents who adopt children will also be able to make use of these provisions. Currently, the right to request flexible working is restricted to parents and carers. The Bill proposes to extend this right to all employees, irrespective of their caring commitments. At present, flexible working is regulated by statutory procedures. In terms of these procedures, an employee who is a carer for a child or adult may submit a written

application to an employer for flexible working. The employer must then request a meeting within 28 days and following this meeting, has 14 days to give the employee its decision.

If the request is agreed, a new contract is issued; if not, the employee can appeal. An employee may complain to an employment tribunal at various stages. The Bill proposes to remove the current statutory procedure and allow employers to use their own HR processes to deal with flexible working applications. Employers will, however, still have to deal with applications in a reasonable manner and within three months of an application being made. A statutory guide will be published to provide guidance on the meaning of “reasonable” and guidance will also be issued on how to

deal with competing requests for flexible working. In short, the new proposals could pose some difficulties for employers who will have to juggle requests for flexible working time with business needs, while at the same time being careful that they do not fall short of the anti-discriminatory laws.

Reproduced from Croner’s Solutions newsletter, Issue 108, [April 2013], with the permission of the publishers, Wolters Kluwer UK Ltd.

Shock opening for Bathroom Business Conference 2013

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:23:46 GMT

When you have successfully built one of the most successful companies through careful nurturing of customers the last thing you want to do is seriously upset them with a shocking off-the-wall remark.

Gerald Ratner was the businessman who did just that. He fell from grace after an unfortunate gaffe. He has since struggled to climb back to the top and now knows a lot more about customers from the valuable lessons he learnt on the day he described one of the products he sold as ‘total crap’.

Gerald Ratner will open the Bathroom Business Conference 2013. He will share the story of his mistakes and what we all can learn from them. His story is an inspiration and will give valuable lessons to the Bathroom Business Conference audience.

Gerald will offer our audience a first-hand account of the demise of his multi-million pound jewellery business and how he has managed to put this behind him and successfully re-launch his career in a highly competitive marketplace. Strong practical business messages and the execution of management strategies, combined with innovative ideas are guaranteed to show us how to beat the competition, delight customers and increase both sales and profits.

Gerald is a charming and witty speaker, captivating audiences with his incredible story of both his success and failure.

Registrations now Open

The Bathroom Business Conference, Exhibition, Gala Dinner and Media Awards are being held on 8 October 2013 at Carden Park, Cheshire.

Special ‘fringe’ activities for members only on 07 October.

Charity Golf tournament on 07 October 2013

Registration now open online at http://www.bathroom-association.org/conference13/default.asp .

Keep up with the latest conference news at http://bathroomconference2013.blogspot.co.uk/

NAPIT Announce Sponsorship of Chesterfield FC

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:22:20 GMT

NAPIT are proud to announce that they will be the new shirt sponsor of Chesterfield FC for the next three seasons.

Chesterfield FC is a League Two football club based in North Derbyshire, close to NAPIT’s head office in Nottinghamshire.

The NAPIT logo will appear on the club’s home kit for the 2013/14 season, with the ElectricSafe logo appearing on the away kit. The company will also feature in matchday programmes and on pitch-side advertising boards.

NAPIT launched ElectricSafe as a single, recognisable brand for householders to search for competent, registered electricians in their local area. All the registered electricians meet strict qualification requirements and are regularly assessed to ensure their ongoing competence.

Chesterfield FC’s Chief Executive, Chris Turner, said: "We're delighted to link up with NAPIT in this new sponsorship deal. We hope it is the start of a long association.”

NAPIT’s Chief Operating Officer, Martin Bruno, said: “I have supported the Blues all my life and can’t wait to see NAPIT’s name on the shirt next season. It’s an incredibly proud moment for the company and me.

NAPIT look forward to enjoying a long and fruitful relationship with the club, whilst promoting electrical safety to consumers through ElectricSafe. As ElectricSafe is appearing on away shirts, the brand will be seen across the country.”

For more information about ElectricSafe, visit the website at www.electricsaferegister.co.uk

-ENDS-

BWF-CERTIFIRE brings latest fire door information to fire safety exhibition

Thu, 09 May 2013 08:52:55 GMT

The BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme will exhibit and speak at FIREX International to raise awareness about the crucial role of fire doors in passive fire protection.

BWF-CERTIFIRE will contribute to a seminar entitled ‘Quality and competency in passive fire protection: just a fond memory or an absolute necessity?’ This talk will explain how, by using the right fire door product to the right specification and having it installed by the right people with the right skills, you will get the right protection.

The central message promoted by the BWF-CERTIFIRE scheme is ‘stay safe, save lives, and stick to the specification.’ The stand at the FIREX exhibition will further emphasise the need to specify third-party certificated fire doors and doorsets, explain how these can be identified, and highlight why they are so important.

John Fletcher, manager of the BWF-CERTIFIRE scheme, says:

“Fire doors are an essential component in all public buildings, and it is critical that building specifiers and owners are aware of the latest safety standards for fire doors, as well as what their responsibilities are for the protection of lives and property.”

The scheme is using FIREX to help reach not just building contractors, managers and fire risk assessors, but anyone involved in fire prevention and protection. The event is part of a protection and management series and aims to encourage dialogue between facilities management and safety-related industries.

BWF-CERTIFIRE can be found at stand B5 in hall 3.

FDIS, Europe’s first fire door inspection scheme, will also be on hand to talk about the need for certificated inspectors to carry out regular checks on fire doors.

For further information on fire door regulations: www.bwfcertifire.org.uk

Vickie Cox

Liz Male Consulting Ltd

01908 551976

vickie@lizmale.co.uk

Fantastic Opportunity for TAF members with the International Festival of Business

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:31:58 GMT

The International Festival of Business (IFB) will be held in Liverpool over the months of June and July in 2014. The Festival is a global gathering of inspiring businesses providing an arena where pivotal industries come together to trade ideas, products and contacts.

Hundreds of world class events will be taking place from 1 June to the end of July 2014 in Liverpool in some of the most impressive venues in the UK. It is a festival of commerce in 61 days of events, exhibitions, showcases and celebrations.

TAF is delighted to announce that we have secured some significant funding to assist members with locating their conferences and events in Liverpool during the festival period. This is excellent news, not just from a financial perspective, but also in that the events that form part of the Festival calendar will benefit from scale, publicity and will be seen on an international stage.

10 lucky members will be awarded up to £10,000 each depending upon how well they meet the criteria outlined below, and there will be assistance for other associations interested in participating to a lesser degree. Funding decisions will be made within 48 hours of application, with a scoring process applied to arrive at successful applications as follows:

· 20% awarded for conferences/events with more than 300 delegates.

· 20% awarded for conferences/events which include an overnight stay.

· 20% awarded for conferences/events which also combine additional events such as gala dinners and award ceremonies.

· 20% awarded for conferences/events established more than five years ago.

· 20% awarded for conference/event content and subject matter aligned to IFB objectives.

Decisions will be made on a first come first basis, and in conjunction with the criteria listed above. Final decisions will be at the sole discretion of EEP and Liverpool Vision, the festival organising authority.

In addition, Liverpool Vision and IFB will be in a position to help source excellent speakers and help with the logistics of the events.

So what are you waiting for? Fill in your Application Form and send it back to Linda Cavender as soon as possible to stand the best chance of obtaining funding!

Government measures boost direct employee ownership

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:16:10 GMT

Changes to over-burdensome share buy back rules aimed at boosting direct employee ownership and cutting red tape, were announced today by Employment Relations and Consumer Minister Jo Swinson.

Under the new rules, companies with employee ownership that issue shares directly to their employees will find it easier to buy back these shares when an employee leaves. The company will then be able reissue these shares more easily when new employees join.

These deregulatory changes will reduce the administrative burden of share buy backs allowing companies to avoid the situation where companies promoting employee ownership can become predominately owned by former employees or others outside the company.

Ms Swinson also announced that Thursday 4 July 2013 will be the first national Employee Ownership Day. The day aims to raise awareness of the Employee Ownership sector at both national and local level across the UK and to illustrate the achievements and progress made since last year’s Employee Ownership Summit.

Employment Relations and Consumer Minister Jo Swinson said:

Hundreds of businesses will benefit from the introduction of reforms that make direct employee ownership easier and simpler for both employers and employees.

Evidence shows that employee owned companies can be more profitable, create more jobs and were more resilient during the economic downturn. We are committed to making direct employee ownership more attractive, cutting red tape for companies, and promoting new and more responsible ways of running a business.

I hope these changes, alongside the announcement of an Employee Ownership Day on 4 July, will raise awareness of the benefits of employee owned companies and lead to an increase in the number of direct employee owned firms across the UK.

Employee Ownership Association (EOA) Chief Executive Iain Hasdell said:

I welcome the enactment of this Statutory Instrument and the government’s commitment to looking at further refinements to it in the future.

The Instrument will improve the workings of internal share markets and it will reduce costs. The enactment sends an important signal to the business community and professional advisers that government is serious about promoting employee ownership.

Author of the Nuttall Review and partner at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP Graeme Nuttall said:

These significant changes in company law will bring employee ownership to the attention of a wider audience. The changes will provide many companies with a less expensive and simpler way to run an internal share market for employees’ share schemes. As a Nuttall Review recommendation they will always be linked to the broader goal of making employee ownership a widespread feature of the UK economy.

The changes announced today to the Companies Act 2006 implement one of the recommendations of the 2012 Nuttall Review of employee ownership. This follows on from a government consultation into impediments to direct employee ownership. The Nuttall review found that company law provisions on the buy backs of company’s own shares were overly burdensome and recommended the removal of barriers and disincentives to direct employee ownership.

Through these regulations:

shareholders in any company would be allowed to approve off-market (i.e. not through a regulated investment exchange) share buy backs by an ordinary resolution. Currently share buy backs require a three quarters approval. Under these regulations the approval threshold will be lowered to a simple majority.
share buy backs connected with an employee share scheme will be eligible for approval in advance. Companies will now be able to approve all future buy backs over a specific period of time through shareholder resolution rather than on a case by case basis.
a greater range of options for financing buy backs will be available: payments by instalments, a simplified regime for buy backs out of capital; and using small amounts of cash.
more companies will be able to hold shares bought back ‘in treasury’ so that they may be issued to new employees or share scheme joiners. This company share ‘storage facility’ will reduce the administrative burden and costs associated with creating new shares every time a new employee joins.

Overall, the changes, which impose no additional costs on business, will increase the flexibility available to companies in how they fund share buy backs, and allow companies, for the first time, to select the most suitable arrangements for their particular needs.

The above article is intended for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Trade Association Forum.

Thousands more firms to benefit from enterprise-friendly regulation scheme

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:32:51 GMT

Business and Energy Minister Michael Fallon has announced that the Primary Authority scheme will be extended to enable thousands more businesses to benefit from more consistent enforcement of regulation, and clearer advice on how to comply.

The measures were approved by Parliament yesterday as part of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act, a package of measures to make life easier for business.

From October 1st 2013, members of trade associations such as the British Frozen Food Federation or franchises such as Pizza Hut will be able to form Primary Authority partnerships with local authorities. Through these partnerships, their members will receive assured regulatory advice and guidance from one place - and all local authorities will be required to ensure their enforcement activities are consistent with this advice.

Improving the consistency of local authority enforcement in this way will reduce the pointless bureaucracy that acts as a barrier to growth, particularly for small firms.

Business and Energy Minister Michael Fallon said:

The extension of Primary Authority will put the needs of business at the heart of local regulation, opening up the benefits of assured advice to thousands of small companies.

This will particularly benefit those small operations, with perhaps just a handful of employees, who suffer the most when local regulation is delivered inconsistently. Local authorities will now be able to save these shops and businesses time and money by giving them the advice and support they need to comply with the law.

The Primary Authority scheme was set up in 2009 to support local economic growth by ensuring businesses benefit from consistent advice, in areas including trading standards and environmental health. Prior to the introduction of the extension announced today, only firms that trade across local authority boundaries can participate in the scheme. There are currently 2,416 Primary Authority Partnerships covering 100 local authorities, with 743 businesses benefiting.

The Better Regulation Delivery Office, which administers the scheme, is developing additional training courses and materials to assist local authorities when dealing with trade associations and similar groups.

Among the trade organisations anticipating advantages for their members is the National Federation of Meat & Food Traders, which has 13,000 members.

Chief Executive Roger Kelsey said:

As an organisation we deal with many instances where our members have experienced inconsistency in advice between local authorities.

The extension of Primary Authority will help us put some consistency in place for our members who include around 1,000 craft butchers, who are very skilled practically but not necessarily comfortable dealing with paperwork.

The federation’s intended Primary Authority is Horsham District Council.

Principal Environmental Health Officer Paul Hobbs said:

We see significant benefits in supporting the business community; we have a corporate approach of enabling business. There are also benefits for the council in raising its profile and adding variety to the routine work done by our officers.

Brian Young, Director General of the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF), said:

We welcome the extension to the Primary Authority scheme. It will significantly reduce duplication of effort for both businesses and local authorities, whilst ensuring improved levels of consistent compliance and consumer protection.

The Primary Authorities with whom BFFF members will partner will have expertise in our sector. An on-going relationship with them will mean that businesses have access to effective practical advice with respect to compliance and enforcement.

Allowing trade association members to become Primary Authority partners is significant. It will allow more businesses to benefit from the relationship – especially SMEs who may not otherwise have been able to form a Primary Authority agreement with a local authority. The involvement of trade associations will encourage co-operative sharing of best practice which will help to raise standards across the whole industry.

James Montgomery, Chairman of the Specialist Cheesemakers Association, said:

We have been proactive in helping a number of enforcement officers get a better understanding of cheese making. Primary Authority is a natural way of building on this relationship and ensuring that our members have the best advice and help in making a good safe product.

Mark Oliver, Trading Standards Lead Officer, Better Business Team, Cambridgeshire Trading Standards, said:

From both a service and professional standpoint we can see huge benefits to both regulators and businesses in actively supporting these working partnerships. In receiving assured advice, businesses have greater confidence and certainty when making decisions in complex areas of trading law.

The extension of the scheme to organisations with a shared approach to compliance now enables us to share these benefits with many more businesses and promote good practice across trade sectors. The net effect of this not only helps business but also consumers and the wider economy.

New TAF Consultation on our Code of Practice - Tell us what you think

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:44:26 GMT

Many of you will recall that Lord Heseltine made a recommendation in his Review published last October entitled 'No Stone Left Unturned in Pusuit of Growth' that the Trade Association Forum introduce a Code of Practice for Trade Associations.

Recommendation 66 said: An updated Code of Practice for Trade Associations should be developed. It should be given teeth by making compliance with the Code a condition for membership of the Trade Association Forum.

This Code of Practice is very much intended to complement rather than replace any existing Codes of Practice or Conduct which may be applicable to your own members. It is about an expectation of behaviour which we hope applies to all our member trade associations as reputable organisations. It is a declaration of a willingness to behave in an honourable and appropriate fashion. We will be giving all members an opportunity to make comment on the Code which can be found here. After the consultation period, we will be considering members' views and making any necessary changes before we formally implement and adopt the Code.

Contact Linda Cavender if you have questions or if you would like to submit your comments.

The consultation will end on Friday, 3 May 2013.

Cutting Ofcom's red-tape

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:06:41 GMT

A consultation published today proposes making seven changes to Ofcom’s statutory duties and functions that will save money and increase efficiency for both the regulator and industry.

Mr Vaizey said:

We must ensure that every penny of taxpayers’ money is spent properly.

Ofcom and broadcasters are currently legally obliged to spend money and time doing work that isn’t necessarily required.

The proposed changes include:

Removing an obligation on Ofcom to review the Public Service Broadcasting landscape every 5 years and instead allow the Culture Secretary to request a review when it is needed.
Allowing Ofcom to assess how the various Channel 3 licensees work together when necessary, rather than annually. The regulator would no longer have to review a change of control of a Channel 3 or 5 licence and instead do it if warranted.

Government is committed to removing unnecessary burdens on business so broadcasters will no longer produce annual statements of programme policy under these proposals. These statements are weak regulatory levers, and the relevant information is collected through other means.

The consultation also suggests Ofcom should have more flexibility to change its governance structures, enabling it to adapt as circumstances change, with the Secretary of State’s approval, and be as efficient as possible.

Under the proposals, the regulator would no longer have a duty to promote training and equality. This work is done by other bodies and no other sectoral regulator is required to do this.

Finally, the proposed changes would allow Ofcom to charge for filing applications for satellite orbits with the International Telecommunications Union. This would bring Ofcom into line with regulators in other countries, ending the unintended taxpayer subsidy for companies based anywhere in the world that choose to make applications through Ofcom.

Have your say

You can take part in the consultation now, which closes on 25 June 2013.

The above article is intended for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Trade Association Forum.

NAPIT EXPO 2013: Exciting Exhibitors, Engaging Q&A and FREE entry for all!

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:04:07 GMT

NAPIT EXPO 2013, to be held at the Copthorne Hotel, Effingham Gatwick on June 6, will feature some familiar faces and more than a few new exhibitors. The innovative Q&A sessions that proved so popular last year will also make a welcome return, as will NAPIT’s discount meter calibration service, a bargain at just £30 + VAT. With exclusive on-the-day-discounts and great networking opportunities, this will be an industry event that’s not to be missed!

The packed list of exhibitors already set to attend includes: Aico, Amtech, Brother, Buy With Confidence, Eco Skies, Fluke, Grant UK, Kewtech, Martindale Electric, Megger, Metrel, NVC Lighting, Testo, Trustmark, TradeSkills4U and Wera Tools. This year’s EXPO will also give you the opportunity to find out firsthand why everyone’s been talking about the pioneering competent electricians register, ElectricSafe.

But it’s not just industry leading exhibitors that are set to make this year’s NAPIT EXPO bigger and better than ever before. Three unique Q&A sessions have also been confirmed. Promising to provide an insight into some of the most pressing issues affecting the industry today, each of these sessions will feature a short presentation before opening the topic to the floor for a fully interactive discussion.

‘Technically Speaking’ will turn confusion to clarity on some of the major technical questions affecting the electrical industry today and is sure to spark lively debate! Guest expert from the IET, Richard Townsend, will cover the latest version of the PAT Testing Code of Practice. NAPIT Technical Director Frank Bertie will consider vehicle charging points, regulation updates and changes to notifications. Trevor Milner from the NAPIT Technical Helpline will share some of the most interesting FAQ’s he encounters.

‘A Sustainable Future’ will see guest speaker Dr Lisa Clark from the University of Sheffield consider to the future of renewable energy, discuss different solar PV technologies and focus on the data collection methods and software tools developed at the Sheffield Solar Farm – a great source of information for budding solar installers. This Q&A session will also see NAPIT Director of Standards David Cowburn outline the latest MCS and Green Deal scheme updates.

‘Promoting Your Business’ will deliver specialist advice on how to stay ahead in the world of business. Featuring guest expert Laila Benifaida from Trading Standards’ ‘Buy with Confidence’, this Q&A session gives you the inside track with expert advice on consumer law, Trading Standards and working in a domestic setting. NAPIT’s political and consumer facing plans for the Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR) and the ElectricSafe Register, presented by NAPIT Chief Operating Officer Martin Bruno, will also feature.

With more details still to be announced, NAPIT EXPO 2013 is fast measuring up to be one of the most anticipated industry events of the year. To find out more and register for FREE entry, visit the NAPIT EXPO 2013 website at www.napitexpo.co.uk.

-ENDS-

Office contact details:

info@napit.org.uk

Tel: 0845 543 0330

www.napit.org.uk

Notes to Editor

This register will be open to all electricians registered with one of the official, DCLG approved, Competent Person Scheme providers operating within the electrical industry.

NAPIT (The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers), was formed in 1992 as a trade association for the electrical industry and, since then, has grown into a successful group of companies.

NAPIT operates a portfolio of Competent Person Schemes, appointed by the UK Government under the Building Regulations for England and Wales, which allow our members to self-certify certain electrical installations as well as plumbing, heating and ventilation works.

Members of our electrical Competent Person Schemes form a Register of certified electrical installers and experts, operating across domestic and industrial installations, periodic inspection reporting and equipment testing.

Please forward all reader enquiries to:

Lewis Wood

Copywriter

4^th Floor, Mill 3

Pleasley Vale Business Park

Mansfield

Nottinghamshire

NG19 8RL

Email: lewis.wood@napit.org.uk

News

ElectricSafe Explains Electrical Installation Condition Reports

Green Deal could stall without SME support

Specialist Contractors Remain Optimistic Despite Falling Workloads

Government launches balance of competences review on transport

Related documents

Record £440 million funding for innovative companies

Export Week to help firms target high growth markets

Micro business boost will transform the economy

New bill proposes reformed intellectual property laws in the UK

Discover How Asbestos Training with NAPIT Could Help You Avoid the UK’s No. 1 Workplace Killer

Cap On Compensatory Award For Unfair Dismissal

Flexible Working - As It Stands And What To Expect

Reproduced from Croner’s Solutions newsletter, Issue 108, [April 2013], with the permission of the publishers, Wolters Kluwer UK Ltd.

Shock opening for Bathroom Business Conference 2013

NAPIT Announce Sponsorship of Chesterfield FC

BWF-CERTIFIRE brings latest fire door information to fire safety exhibition

Fantastic Opportunity for TAF members with the International Festival of Business

Government measures boost direct employee ownership

Thousands more firms to benefit from enterprise-friendly regulation scheme

New TAF Consultation on our Code of Practice - Tell us what you think

Cutting Ofcom's red-tape

The proposed changes include:

Have your say

NAPIT EXPO 2013: Exciting Exhibitors, Engaging Q&A and FREE entry for all!