There has been a certain amount of panic amongst small businesses now that the enrolment scheme has reached even the smallest of employers. Some businesses thought they were safe by contracting with the self-employed but this may not be so. Employers need to put workplace pensions in place or face the wrath of the regulator. It may be that on a long-term basis workplace pensions will eventually save the government the expense of having to pay a state pension, and this will place the onus of pension provision on the employer rather than the state. That said, some workplace pensions are very cost effective and it depends upon the scheme as to whether employees want to “sign-up” or “opt out”. I
Confident your business premises comply with fire regulations? Fire safety legislation applies to all business premises and any premises open to the public. If your business has premises open to the public, the legislation applies to you whether you are self-employed, a charity, a not for-profit or voluntary organisation, a contractor if you have some degree of control over premises. Under the legislation, you would be the responsible person and you would need to make sure your premises comply. The legislation imposes a legal duty on responsible persons to ensure the safety of anyone using the premises if there were a fire. How confident are you that your business premises meet the requirem
Uber Cabbing Maidstone’s Taxi drivers have been under pressure recently from the “Uber” sensation. Uber drivers provide an unlicensed and cheaper service without the extensive training, disability access considerations, safety and insurance that is mandatory for a regulated taxi service. As part of the “sharing economy” the relationship between driver and rider is one of friends giving and taking a lift. Uber provide a phone app and agree the cost with the passenger and then send one of the many drivers who have signed onto the scheme to collect the passenger and drop them off at their destination. Uber started in California and in less than a decade has spread across North America and Europ
