Employing people

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The UK government is committed to lightening the regulatory burden on businesses and helping to spur economic growth. Here are just some of the ways we’re doing this.

1. Tackling late payment

We know late payment of invoices and long payment terms are key issues that businesses, especially SMEs, highlight as a barrier to their growth.

This is why the UK Government announced the Payments and Cash Flow review to look at measures to tackle late payment of invoices to support small businesses and grow the economy.

If you’re having issues with late payments as a small business, you can get guidance from the Small Business Commissioner including raising a complaint.

2. Trade with the World

We are striking striking new trade deals to help businesses make connections around the world. The UK government is also continuing to take action to resolve market access barriers and unlock trade opportunities abroad for UK businesses.

You can also tell us about any new trade barriers that you may be facing, or have an issue with an existing trade barrier. We might be able to resolve it,

You can also find information, advice and services to help you sell internationally.

3. Selling products and services to the pubic sector

Small businesses will benefit from one of the largest shake ups to procurement regulations in UK history.

This will deliver simpler, more effective public sector procurement, and help SMEs secure a greater share of approximately £300bn of expenditure per year. 

Find out how to sell products and services to the public sector.

4. Cutting Red Tape

REUL (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023

The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (the REUL Act 2023) gives the government the power to remove and reform EU laws. The government has already revoked or reformed over 2,000 pieces of REUL. A further 500 revocations and reforms of REUL are planned in 2024; and over all the Government’s roadmap will see the reform or revocation of 3, 500 pieces of EU law by June 2026. Find out more.

You can also view the schedule of retained EU Law was revoked last year.

We have made considerable progress since the REUL Bill received Royal Assent in June 2023. We have laid 26 Statutory Instruments many of these revoke redundant EU legislation or make significant legislative reforms. 

These reforms include changes to employment law to improve the lives of workers and support businesses – saving industry more than £1 billion. Employers no longer need to keep detailed records of each employee’s daily working hours and the Government is also simplifying annual leave and holiday pay calculations to reduce red tape for business.

Reducing burdens and promoting growth through smarter regulation

The UK government’s smarter regulation programme seeks to reduce burdens on businesses and promote innovation and growth.

The smarter regulation programme across government is led by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). It has 3 pillars:

  • reforming existing regulations to minimise regulatory burden and ensure our regulations are contemporary and forward looking. This includes reforms to both retained EU law (REUL) and wider domestic regulation
  • making regulation a last resort, not a first choice. This includes making use of alternatives to regulation wherever beneficial
  • ensuring a well-functioning regulatory landscape

Find out more about the smarter regulation programme,

Better regulation in the UK’s product safety

On 2 August 2023, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) launched a consultation seeking views on how the UK can better regulate in the area of product safety, considering consumers, businesses and local authorities. The consultation has ended and we are reviewing the feedback. You can see the details of the consultation.

Training & employment schemes 

Compare different government programmes for hiring employees, offering work experience or upskilling existing staff. 

Get employment law or workplace advice

Get help from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) through their helpline for anyone who needs employment law or workplace advice, including employers.

Menopause and the workplace

This resource is for employers and their workers from large or small organisations who are seeking menopause-related guidance for the workplace.

Support with employee health

Employers must make reasonable adjustments to make sure workers with disabilities, or physical or mental health conditions, are not substantially disadvantaged when doing their jobs.

The Midlife MOT will help your employees think about their careers, their health and their finances. They might be thinking about how they can continue to stay in their job alongside caring responsibilities, how they stay healthy to enjoy a long career, or want to understand more about their pension.

Employing people with disabilities

Guidance for employers to help increase your understanding of disability and help you recruit and support disabled people and those with long term health conditions in work. This includes:

Employing people with disabilities and those with health conditions

Access the new online service for employers which provides advice and guidance on managing health and disability in the workplace, including your legal obligations and good practice.

Advertise your job vacancies

Advertise and manage your vacancies on the ‘find a job’ service.