Round-up of the week

Business community welcomes efforts to cut red tape

The government this week confirmed it wants to ease the amount of bureaucracy on companies - much to the delight of the UK's business community.

According to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), "real progress" has been made in reducing red tape for businesses in the last few years. However, it stated that much more still needs to be done.

Dr Adam Marshall, executive director of policy at the BCC, is therefore pleased the government "has been listening" to the concerns of British businesses and pledging to take further action.

"Businesses will be relieved that more regulators will now have to demonstrate their commitment to cutting red tape, and limit the burdens they place on firms who just want to get up and grow," he commented.

“A close look at the red tape generated by local authorities - a key complaint for many firms - is also long overdue."

Dr Marshall singled out the One in, Three out commitment for new regulations for praise, but said this still won't be enough to end companies' concerns about red tape.

He added that the move will also "give both politicians and civil servants pause before introducing new legislation that makes doing business more costly and bureaucratic".

The CBI also welcomed the government's commitment to reducing bureaucracy for British businesses, saying it will give firms "the space to grow and thrive".

Tom Thackray, acting director of competitive markets at the CBI, said this is particularly good news for small and medium-sized firms that are "bursting with potential".

Nevertheless, he said the government must "ensure that as many policies as possible are covered by the £10 billion target, as significant exemptions risk undermining the credibility and impact of the wider deregulatory agenda".

Workers 'would accept reduced pay for more flexibility'

Many employees would be happy to collect less pay if they were given more flexible working hours, a new survey has revealed.

According to the Centre for the Modern Family, which is affiliated with Scottish Widows, nearly a quarter would accept a reduced income in exchange for greater flexibility.

However, the issue of flexible working appears to be causing some friction in a number of workplaces, as 21 per cent of childless employees feel colleagues with children get better support regarding flexible working arrangements.

This is interesting in light of the finding that 65 per cent of employers accept that flexible working policies can be good for productivity and staff wellbeing.

Anita Frew, chair of the Centre for the Modern Family, said: "Although employers have taken promising steps towards offering more flexible working hours, there is still work to be done to ensure these policies are being rolled out to all employees."

Employers are too demanding, say school leavers

Most 16 to 18-year-olds feel employers expect too much of them when they start a job, according to a new study.

Nine in ten respondents to a survey by Young Enterprise said employers feel school leavers should be able to multi-task in new environments and adapt to the world of work straight away. Many of these people also said companies expect too many qualifications and too much work experience.

However, 58 per cent of 16 to 18-year-olds feel they will struggle to get a job as they do not have enough work experience, while 31 per cent believe they are not taught vital employment skills at school and college. A further 33 per cent said they do not think they get enough guidance and consultation when they are picking a possible career direction.

To discuss conditions in the labour market and operating environment further, speak to one of our experts here at The Maine Group!