BOSSES returning to work after the Easter break need to brace themselves for 73 new pieces of business regulation which come into force today.

The warning comes from the York Society of Chartered Accountants, a branch society of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW).

April 6 is the first key date for new business legislation - under the Government's new system of issuing changes related to the workplace only twice a year. John Machin, partner at local Chartered Accountants JWPCreers (York and Selby), and a former president of the York society, warned that all businesses needed to be prepared for the ramifications of all this new legislation, especially in the area of employment rights and tax and national insurance changes.

He said: "The legislation applies to a very wide range of businesses. Obviously, the changes to National Insurance contributions and PAYE affect every business, but more niche markets are also affected and could fall foul of the rules if they have not been paying close attention.

"Here in York, the construction industry, tourism and farming will be particularly affected by some of the regulations, and changes to the VAT treatment of certain medical services will affect doctors and other medical practitioners."



MAKE sure that you have your red tape taped. Key law changes from next Friday include:

  • Extension to the right to request flexible working as well as extending maternity leave from six to nine months
  • Further provisions in the rules preventing age discrimination and new rights for employees aged under 16
  • A new provision to protect employees from dismissal on grounds of redundancy
  • Changes to private use of company vans. Company van drivers will find their take-home pay falls assuming the van is used privately. They will be faced with a taxable benefit increase of £2,500, to be increased by a further £500 if they receive free or subsidised fuel
  • Changes in rules and guidance for fire safety design in buildings
  • New rules protecting deposits in the private rental sector which will affect property owners, property agents etc
  • Changes in the rules for consumer credit and hire agreements which will affect all consumer credit licence holders including financial services companies, banks, building societies, etc
  • PAYE income tax and National Insurance contribution changes
  • Changes in certain animal welfare regulations which will affect vets, riding schools, animal sanctuaries etc
  • Changes in VAT rules regarding certain medical services
  • New rules regarding pig marking, cattle identification, poultry breeding controls