November 2011 Archive

Auto-enrolment pensions delay will affect up to four million people

Firms that employ fewer than 50 people will be given extra time to implement auto-enrolment

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that firms that employ fewer than 50 people will have an extra 13 months to implement the new system.

CBI survey reveals pessimistic outlook for UK service sector

The consumer services sector is suffering, new figures from the Confederation of British Industry have shown.

Osborne to use pensions to fund National Infrastructure Plan

Pension funds will be able to invest more easily in infrastructure as part of a plan to be announced by the government.

IoD: UK business "damaged" by excessive executive pay

The IoD has issued recommendations on executive pay

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has recommended changes to the way executives are paid and says current policies damages the image of UK business to the wider society.

Survey shows lack of confidence in pensions

New research has demonstrated that many Britons do not have faith that a pension will provide them with a good retirement income.

Women in their twenties earn more than men as gap narrows

The gender pay gap has narrowed for some women, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Cable sets out changes to employment laws and unfair dismissal

Vince Cable has outlined possible changes to UK employment law

Vince Cable has set out proposals for changes to UK employment laws and unfair dismissal designed to make the hiring and firing of staff easier for firms.

Average earnings in UK rise 3.5 times less than current CPI

The ONS reports that average earnings are failing to keep pace with inflation

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that average earnings for full-time employees rose by just 1.4 per cent, 3.5 times less than the current rate of inflation.

BOE: Risk of UK negative financial shock highest since 2008

Confidence in the UK's financial system has dipped to its lowest since just before the 2008 recession.

Pension incomes fall by 35% as gilt yields drop

Pension incomes could fall due to a fall in gilt yields

Pensioners about to drawdown annuities or who face an annual review could see incomes fall by 35 per cent as gilt yields fall to a record low and new rules take effect.

Employee sick leave decision to be taken away from doctors

A report is expected to recommend that a new body authorises sick leave

A government commissioned report to be released next week is expected to recommend that the decision to sign off employees on sick leave is taken by a new body.

Dr Ros Altmann interviews Pensions Minister, Steve Webb

Dr Ros Altmann, Director General of Saga

Dr Ros Altmann, of Saga and an ex-adviser to the government's pension department asks the current Pensions Minister Steve Webb about the government's plans for pensions.

MPs call for banks to restore cheque guarantee cards

Cheque guarantee cards could make a comeback after an MP committee urged the Payments Council to reconsider their abolition.

HMRC staff criticise management policies

HM Revenue and Customs has been criticised by its own staff over the way it is being run, with many highlighting top-level decisions as poor.

CIPD expects 'slow, painful contraction' of jobs market

The jobs market is not likely to improve in the near future as the threat of recession continues, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development says.

HMRC saving £126m with online tax returns

HM Revenue and Customs has been praised for saving a significant sum of money with online filing for tax returns.

CBI urges government to kick-start economic growth with 'Plan A Plus'

After revising down the UK's economic growth forecast, the Confederation of British Industry has called on the government to bring in new recovery measures.

Permanent job vacancies fall for first time in over two years

Permanent job vacancies have declined for the first time in more than two years, according to a REC/KPMG survey

The latest REC/KPMG report on job vacancies in the UK for October reveals that permanent job levels have fallen for the first time since July 2009 and wages are stagnant.

HMRC lawyer ordered to take oath before questioning on tax deals

A top lawyer for HM Revenue and Customs has been ordered to swear an oath on the bible after proving reluctant to answer questions over alleged sweetheart deals.