ACS Responds to Queen's Speech
06 Nov 2007
ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) the voice of over 33,000 local shops has responded to the Queen’s Speech. The Government’s draft legislative programme, which was unveiled in July, focuses on crime, immigration and constitutional reform.
Bills that are of direct interest to the convenience sector include:
• CrossRail Bill (Retailers in London only) - CrossRail will be funded in part by a levy on businesses in London;
• Education and Skills Bill - employers will be subject to a duty to release young people into training one day a week if they are below 18, and will be required to check that employees under 18 are taking part in training;
• Employment Simplification Bill - tougher sanctions for those not complying with the National Minimum wage;
• Pensions Bill - to bring in requirement for employers to make mandatory contributions to employees pensions;
• Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill - to provide for new sanctions for non compliance with regulation including temporary cessation orders.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “This is a low key Queen’s Speech from our perspective. We will watch closely developments on the proposal to increase the requirements around training for staff under the age of 18, also the Pensions bill, which will add significant costs to member businesses.
“The proposal to reform sanctions has the potential to be a big concern. Whist the approach is set out as being deregulatory in nature and intent, the concern is that the Bill will hand extensive additional powers to enforcers that could harm member businesses.”
Contacts:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
Michael Saxton/ Grappa PR
Julie Kirby 020 7602 9222
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,000 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.
Bills that are of direct interest to the convenience sector include:
• CrossRail Bill (Retailers in London only) - CrossRail will be funded in part by a levy on businesses in London;
• Education and Skills Bill - employers will be subject to a duty to release young people into training one day a week if they are below 18, and will be required to check that employees under 18 are taking part in training;
• Employment Simplification Bill - tougher sanctions for those not complying with the National Minimum wage;
• Pensions Bill - to bring in requirement for employers to make mandatory contributions to employees pensions;
• Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill - to provide for new sanctions for non compliance with regulation including temporary cessation orders.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “This is a low key Queen’s Speech from our perspective. We will watch closely developments on the proposal to increase the requirements around training for staff under the age of 18, also the Pensions bill, which will add significant costs to member businesses.
“The proposal to reform sanctions has the potential to be a big concern. Whist the approach is set out as being deregulatory in nature and intent, the concern is that the Bill will hand extensive additional powers to enforcers that could harm member businesses.”
Contacts:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
Michael Saxton/ Grappa PR
Julie Kirby 020 7602 9222
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,000 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.