27/05/2025
As more woodworking businesses turn to digital tools to manage daily operations, the risk of cybercrime is becoming a growing concern. From managing stock and customer orders to accounting and ...
The Enterprise Act, introduced earlier this month, contains a package of measures that government hopes will help with its commitments to cut red tape, tackle late payment and boost the quality and quantity of apprenticeships.
The Act includes measures to:
– Establish a Small Business Commissioner to help small firms resolve issues such as late payment
Include the actions of regulators in the government’s £10 billion deregulation target and increase transparency through annual reporting requirements
– Extend the successful Primary Authority scheme to make it easier for businesses to access consistent, tailored and assured advice from local authorities, giving them greater confidence to invest and grow
– Protect and strengthen the apprenticeship brand, introduce targets for apprenticeships in public sector bodies in England, and establish an Institute for Apprenticeships – an independent, employer-led body that will make sure apprenticeships meet the needs of business
– Create a legal obligation for insurers to pay claims to businesses within a reasonable time
Additional measures under the Enterprise Act will reform the business rates appeals system; enhance shop workers’ rights to opt out of working on Sundays; pave the way for bringing private capital in to the Green Investment Bank; amend the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act relating to the Pubs Code and adjudicator; put a cap of £95,000 on exit payments in the public sector; allow the government to fund UK Government Investments Limited; and update the Industrial Development Act to help support the roll-out of telecommunications and broadband.
Some provisions of the Enterprise Act will commence automatically, whereas other provisions will require regulations. Under the Act, secondary legislation will be required in a number of areas as part of wider implementation.
The Enterprise Bill was introduced to Parliament on 16 September 2015. The Bill started in the House of Lords and then passed through the House of Commons before Lords consideration of Commons amendments on 19 April 2016.
In the face of major political, economic and technical changes coming the way of the woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry, the BWF is making ‘risk’ the key theme of this year’s BWF Members’ Day which takes place on 7th July. This year’s event will focus on how to understand the risks coming our way, how to prepare for them, and how to manage them. It will provide joinery manufacturers and woodworking professionals with a unique opportunity to participate in various workshops entirely focused on their needs, and to get up to date with the latest developments in the industry, with a free exhibition showcasing the latest innovations and technologies to aid the joinery industry.
