While it is understood that the bill has been introduced to tackle the potential exploitation of migrant workers, it will apply equally to all employers and workers. It is therefore likely to affect employers in many sectors who provide employee accommodation. The additional payment specified shall not be taken into consideration in assessing whether the basic pay is at or above the national minimum wage.
However, the bill states that the requirement to offer a financial alternative to residential accommodation will not apply if the accommodation is deemed to be ‘a necessary requirement of the employment’.
We are aware that a number of our clients offer their employees residential accommodation and that many of these require their employees to live in that accommodation either because they consider that such residence is essential for, or for the better performance of, their duties.
Accommodation provided to low-paid workers (including employees) may affect the calculation of the worker's pay for national minimum wage purposes. Accommodation may be given a value, known as the "accommodation allowance" or "accommodation off-set", which is set under regulation 36 of the National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999.
There is not currently a date for the second reading of the bill; and as the next election is in May 2015 it will not become law if it has not completed its passage through Parliament at that stage.
We would recommend that clients who offer accommodation as part of an employment package take this opportunity of reviewing the basis and terms upon which they are doing so and be clear as to whether the occupation of accommodation is a necessary requirement of the role.
For further information on the impact of existing, and this possible, legislation on your organisation, please contact Stephen Dalling on 0121 212 7429 or stephen.dalling@anthonycollins.com.
It is anticipated that as lockdown restrictions ease, and particularly with children and young adults returning to education, cases of meningitis will start to rise.
As we continue to emerge from lockdown measures and deal with local measures and the short and long term economic impact of Covid-19, local authorities will need to re-assess how services will be delivered for years to come.
The Government first announced plans for a shared ownership right to buy in October 2019. At the time the sector raised concerns about the impact the plans would have on housing associations ability to borrow. An election and a pandemic later the Government announced, during the CIH Housing Festival last week, the return of the right to shared ownership as part of its Affordable Homes Programme (AHP).
Two final pieces of the possession jigsaw have been published on 15 September 2020. Mr Justice Knowles’ working group on possession proceedings has issued its guidance on the “overall arrangements” for possession proceedings.
One change proposed by the Building Safety Bill is the introduction of a duty holder regime, which will see statutory responsibility for the safety of higher risk buildings placed on key individuals
Throughout this pandemic, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been publishing various “Statements on Coronavirus” (Statements) which provide guidance on consumer rights during this time.
A recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the UK means new measures are being put in place in an effort to reduce the risk of a second wave. Whilst the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt, it is important to remain focused on the sector’s road to recovery.
Sometimes half an hour at a conference gives you the reality that has been staring you in the face all along. That was my experience watching “Change is on the Horizon”
Following our recent e-briefing on Possession Notices, Helen Tucker and Emilie Pownall from our housing litigation team discuss the impact of the changes on social landlords.
Not only has the possession stay been extended until 20 September, the notice periods to be given to tenants has been extended in certain circumstances with some important exceptions.
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