Check Business Link to see how the new changes will affect your business
 
April can be a tricky month for companies, as it heralds the introduction of new employment regulations. Business Link is encouraging businesses from every sector to check the Business Link website www.businesslink.gov.uk/ccd for any legislative changes that may affect them.

To save businesses time and money, government departments issue changes to new and existing business legislation twice a year – on 6 April and 1 October – dates that are known as Common Commencement Dates. Business Link has created a summary of the changes that will come into force on 6 April to help businesses identify those that are relevant to them.

All businesses are encouraged to go online and check this summary to see whether the incoming regulations will affect their business in any way.

Some of the changes introduced are:

• A change in the main rate of corporation tax: This will fall from 28 to 27 per cent, and the Small Profits Rate from 21 to 20 per cent

• Additional paternity leave and pay: Eligible partners of those either due to give birth or adopt a child will gain the right to additional paternity leave and pay

• Retirement: You will no longer be able to issue notifications of retirement using the statutory retirement procedure

Ray Lambe, businesslink.gov.uk Programme Director says: “The Common Commencement Date is an important date in the business calendar, and the Business Link website helps people from all business sectors understand how to comply with the changes. We recommend that people check online for clear guidance on the regulations which may affect them”