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    April 2010 - new law

    A variety of employment law changes came into effect in April 2010.
    Here is a list of the most significant followed by a
    linked list of employment law related statutory instruments coming into force in April 2010:
    (October and April 2009 also available)


    1. Fit notes (go to Illness, sickness and accidents/certificates of sickness ).
      Sick notes for employees are replaced by "Fit notes" which stress what the person can do rather than what they cannot do,

    2. Additional paternity leave and pay (go to Paternity Leave ).
      Parents will in effect be able to share part of maternity leave and statutory maternity pay, subject to conditions (fully effective from April 2011).

    3. Right to request time off for training (go to Time off work/training ).
      Until April 2011 this right will only be for employees of larger (250+ employees) employers

    4. Statutory Maternity Pay (go to Definitions and interpretation/statutory maternity pay (''SMP'') ).
      The standard rate for Statutory Maternity Pay (and for Statutory Adoption Pay and Statutory Paternity Pay) increases to £124.88 per week (from 4th April 2010). Statutory Sick Pay is unchanged at £79.15 per week.

    5. Tribunals and whistleblowing (go to Whistleblowing/a general note ).
      employment tribunals can forward details of "whistleblowing" claims to the appropriate regulator, subject to consent of the claimant.

    6. Information Commissioner (go to Data protection/a general note ).
      Monetary penalties can be applied where there has been a deliberate or reckless handling of personal data

    7. Occupational Pensions (go to Definitions and interpretation/pension age ).
      The minimum age at which a tax approved pension scheme can generally provide benefits increases from 50 to 55 on 6th April 2010.

    8. State Pension (go to Pensions/equalisation of pension ages ).
      Phasing in starts for increase to age 65 for female entitlement to State Retirement Pension.

    9. State Pension (go to Social Security/Employment related benefits/retirement pension ).
      As from 6th April 2010 entitlement to full State Retirement Pension depends on 30 years of national insurance contributions (previously 39(F) and 44(M))

    10. Immigration (go to Immigration/Work permits ).
      Significant revisions to Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points based system come into effect from 6th April 2010

    11. Equality Bill (go to Bills before Parliament/Equality Bill ).
      Final approval of the Bill and Royal Assent is expected during April 2010.

    The following is a list of employment related statutory instruments which come into effect in April 2010 (sorted alphabetically):

    1. Additional Paternity Leave Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1055 in force 6.4.2010
    2. Additional Paternity Leave (Adoptions from Overseas) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1059 in force 9.4.2010
    3. Additional Statutory Paternity Pay (Birth, Adoption and Adoptions from Overseas) (Administration) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/154 - in force 6.4.2010
    4. Additional Paternity Leave (Adoptions from Overseas) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1059 in force 9.4.2010
    5. Additional Paternity Leave (Adoptions from Overseas) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1057 in force 9.4.2010
    6. Additional Statutory Paternity Pay (General) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1056 in force 6.4.2010
    7. Additional Statutory Paternity Pay (National Health Service Employees) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/152 - in force 6.4.2010
    8. Apprenticeships, Skills, Children & Learning Act 2009 (Commencement No 2 & Transitional & Saving Provisions) Order 2010, SI 2010/303 - various dates to 6.4.11
    9. Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (Consequential Amendments) (England and Wales) Order 2010, SI 2010/1080 - 1.4.2010
    10. Armed Forces (Redundancy, Resettlement and Gratuity Earnings Schemes) (No. 2) Order 2010, SI 2010/832 in force 6.4.2010
    11. Armed Forces (Redundancy, Resettlement and Gratuity Earnings Schemes) Order 2010, SI 2010/345 in force on 6.4.2010
    12. British Nationality (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/785 - in force 7.4.2010
    13. Child Benefit Up-rating Order 2010, SI 2010/982 in force 12.4.2010
    14. Damages-Based Agreements Regulations 2010 (re-revised) - in force 6.4.2010 (DRAFT)
    15. Data Protection (Monetary Penalties) (Maximum Penalty and Notices) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/31, in force 6.4.2010
    16. Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2010 SI 2010/341 - in force 22.2.2010 & 6.4.2010
    17. Employee Study and Training (Eligibility, Complaints and Remedies) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/156, in force 6.4.2010
    18. Employee Study and Training (Procedural Requirements) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/155 in force 6.4.2010
    19. Employee Study and Training (Qualifying Period of Employment) Regulations 2010 SI 2010/800 - in force 6.4.2010
    20. Employment Rights Act 1996 (Application of Section 80BB to Adoptions from Overseas) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1058 in force 6.4.2010
    21. Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/131 in force 6.4.2010
    22. Financial Assistance Scheme (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1149 in force 2.4.2010
    23. Fire Safety (Employees' Capabilities) (England) Regulations 2010 SI 2010/471 - in force 6.4.2010
    24. Gangmasters Licensing (Exclusions) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/649 in force 6.4.2010
    25. Guardian's Allowance Up-rating Order 2010, SI 2010/978 in force 12.4.2010
    26. Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2010 SI 2010/579 - in force 6.4.2010
    27. Identity Cards Act 2006 (Provision of Information with Consent) Regulations 2009 (Amendment) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1180 in force 29.2.2010
    28. Immigration and Nationality (Cost Recovery Fees) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/228, in force 6.4.2010
    29. Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/778 in force 6.4.2010
    30. Income Tax (Pay As You Earn) (Amendment) Regulations 2010, SI 201/668, in force 6.4.2010
    31. Insolvency (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2010, SI 2010/734, in force 6.4.2010
    32. Insolvency (Amendment) Rules 2010, SI 2010/686 in force 6.4.2010
    33. Jobseeker's Allowance (Sanctions for Failure to Attend) Regulations 2010 SI 2010/509 - in force 6.4.2010
    34. Jobseeker's Allowance (Skills Training Conditionality Pilot) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/696 in force 26.4.2010
    35. Legislative Reform (Insolvency) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 2010 SI 2010/18 - in force 6.4.2010
    36. London Skills and Employment Board (Specified Functions) Order 2010, SI 2010/458 in force 1.4.2010
    37. Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Biological Agents) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/323 in force 6.4.2010
    38. Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1110, in force 5th and 26.4.2010
    39. Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Work at Height) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/332, in force 6.4.2010
    40. Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Chemical Agents) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/330 in force 6.4.2010
    41. Mesolioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1105 in force 1.4.2010
    42. National Health Service (Performers Lists) Amendment Regulations 2010, SI 2010/412, in force 1.4.2010
    43. National Insurance Contribution Credits (Transfer of Functions) Order 2009, SI 2009/1377 - in force 6.4.2010
    44. Naval, Military and Air Forces Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions (Amendment) Order 2010, SI 210/240 in force 12.4. 2010
    45. Notification of Conventional Tower Cranes Regulations 2010, , SI 2010/333 in force 6.4.2010
    46. Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2010 SI 2010/499 - in force 6.4.2010
    47. Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) (Amount Required for Restoring State Scheme Rights) Amend't Regs 2010 SI 2010/506 - in force 6.4.2010
    48. Occupational Pension Schemes (Employer Debt and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/725, in force 6.4.2010
    49. Occupational Pension Schemes (Fraud Compensation Payments and Miscellaneous Amendments) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 SI 2010/483 - in force 6.4.2010
    50. Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order 2010, SI 2010/666, in force 1.4.2010
    51. Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) Order 2010, SI 2010/1177, in force 6.4.2010
    52. Pension Protection Fund (Pension Compensation Cap) Order 2010, SI 2010/667 in force 1.4.2010
    53. Pensions Act 2004 (Commencement No. 14) Order 2010 SI 2010/443 - in force 6.4.2010
    54. Pensions Act 2007 (Supplementary Provision) Order 2009 SI 2009/2715 - in force 6.4.2010
    55. Pensions Act 2007 (Supplementary Provisions) (No.2) Order 2009, SI 2009/3094 in force 6.4.2010
    56. Pensions Protection Fund (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2010 SI 2010/560 - in force 1 & 6.4.2010
    57. Personal Injuries (NHS Charges) (Amounts) Amendment Regulations 2010, SI 2010/189 in force 1.4.2010
    58. Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 , SI 2010/1106 in force 1.4.2010
    59. Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Amendment) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/817 in force 1.4.2010
    60. Police Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/431, in force 1.4.2010
    61. Police Pensions Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2010, SSI 2010/85 in force 1.4.2010
    62. Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2010, SSI 2010/133 in force 18.4.2010
    63. Recognition and Derecognition Ballots (Qualified Persons) (Amendment) Order 2010, SI 2010/437 in force 6.4.2010
    64. Social Security (Claims and Information) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 SI 2010/508 - in force 6.4.2010
    65. Social Security (Claims and Payments) Amendment Regulations 2010, SI 2010/796 in force 8.4.2010
    66. Social Security (Community Task Force) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/354 in force 26.4. 2010
    67. Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2010 SI 2010/188 - in force 6.4.2010
    68. Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/646 in force on 6.4.2010
    69. Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/721 in force 6.4.2010
    70. Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 SI 2010/834 - in force 6.4.2010
    71. Social Security (Loss of Benefit) Amendment Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1160 in force 1.4.2010
    72. Social Security (Maximum Additional Pension) Regulations 2010 SI 2010/426 - in force 6.4.2010
    73. Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/137 in force 6.4.2010
    74. Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/641 in force 1.4.2010 to 13.4.2010
    75. Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 6) Regulations 2009 SI 2009/3229 - in force 6.4.2010
    76. Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2010 - SI 2010/510, in force 1.4.2010 to 12.4.2010
    77. Social Security (State Pension and National Insurance Credits) Regulations 2009 SI 2009/2206 - in force 6.4.2010
    78. Social Security (Work-focused Interviews etc.) (Equalisation of State Pension Age) Amendment Regulations 2010 SI 2010/563 - in force 6.4.2010
    79. Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) (Amendment) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/788 in force 6.4.2010
    80. Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2010, SI 2010/793 - in force on various dates between 1.4.2010 and 15.4.2010
    81. Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (etc) Regulations 2003 (Amendment) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/153 - in force 6.4.2010
    82. Social Security (Loss of Benefit) Amendment Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1160 in force 1.4.2010
    83. Social Security Pensions (Low Earnings Threshold) Order 2010, SI 2010/468, in force 6.4.2010
    84. Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutoryy Adoption Pay (Persons Abroad and Mariners) Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/151 - in force 6.4.2010
    85. Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2010, SI 2010/981 in force 6.4.2010
    86. UK Borders Act 2007 (Commencement No. 6) Order 2010, SI 2010/606 in force 1.4. 2010
    87. Welfare Reform Act 2009 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2010 SI 2010/45 - in force 12.1.2010 & 1.4.2010
    88. Welfare Reform Act 2009 (Section 26) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2010, SI 2010/424 fully in force by 2.4.2010
    89. Work and Families Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2010 SI 2010/128 - in force 6.4.2010
    90. Work and Families Act 2006 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2010, SI 2010/495 fully in force 6.4.2010

    FINISH>
    (and please check the "Updates tab" above)
    prepared April2010