Employment law and the new government – what’s on the agenda?

By KMC Human Resources

09 Jun 2015

Following on from a general election there is always an anticipated period of change. As one of the most frequent areas of legislative change for businesses, employment law is no different.

By Karen Credie, KMCHR.

Although the re-election of David Cameron will likely create fewer waves than if a labour government had taken power, the prospect of an EU referendum, along with other policies in the Conservative party manifesto, it is anticipated to be an interesting period for employment law. Following the Queen’s speech last month, here are the key areas of change we can expect on the employment law agenda over the coming months and years. We have already seen some changes come into effect since the majority Conservative government took power in the form of a small number of reforms from the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015, which was passed in March. These include a ban on exclusivity on zero hours contracts, which aims to prevent those employed under such terms from seeking and working hours for other employers. In addition, an increase in the maximum penalty for underpayment of the national minimum wage has also come into force, drastically increasing the liability for employers who fail to pay employees under National Minimum Wage laws. There are some positive changes for employees so far as taxation is concerned; a tax-free minimum wage will be introduced to ensure that someone working 30 hours on the minimum wage won’t pay income tax. The government has also pledged to bring in a further increase to the personal allowance, which will gradually increase earnings exempt from income tax calculation, to reach £12,500 by 2020. There is good news for employers also as the government have announced a freeze on income tax, VAT and NICs rates. One of the headline changes will affect trade unions in the health, education, fire and transport sectors who wish to undertake industrial action. Going forward, a 50% turnout threshold will be necessary for a strike ballot to take place and in certain essential public services, 40% of all union members will need to vote in favour of industrial action for it to go ahead. An interesting change on the horizon is the introduction of private sector equal pay reporting regulations. There has been a commitment to bring in these regulations, which will require all private sector companies over 250 employees to publish the difference between the average pay of their male and female employees, no later than 26 March 2016. It has also been announced that the government will bring in a new Enterprise Bill to attempt to further tackle the red tape businesses face. Details of such legislation have been mooted; with some speculating that micro businesses will become unburdened by certain employment legislation; however details on the contents of the bill are yet to be confirmed. As the above demonstrates, employment legislation is set to be as changeable as ever over the coming years. We will of course continue to keep you up to date with all of the changes and how they might affect your business.

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin