Shorter Reads

The Queen’s Speech

Here we outline the key announcements relating to  Business and Employment law.

1 minute read

Published 12 May 2022

Authors

Share

Key information

Tuesday’s Queen’s Speech outlined the UK government’s agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session. Among the key policy announcements in relation to business and employment were:

  • Plans for a bill that will give British ports powers to refuse entry to ferry services that do not pay their workers the national minimum wage. This is part of the government’s response to the well-publicised issues with P&O Ferries who made their crews redundant without consultation and hired agency worker to undertake the work at much lower wages.
  • A planned Data Reform bill to enable the UK to deviate from EU data protection rules. It is expected that the draft bill will be published in the summer and it is part of a wider set of data protection reforms with the stated aim of reducing ‘red tape’ and costs.
  • A new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill that will increase the investigatory powers of Companies House and introduce identity verification for people who own and control UK companies.
  • A Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which will include new planning powers for local authorities to bring empty shops back into use. News of this controversial bill leaked to the press earlier this week and received some criticism from interested groups.
  • An Audit Reform Bill that will establish a new statutory regulator with powers to enforce directors’ financial reporting duties.
  • A Financial Service and Markets Bill that is intended to simplify EU rules in the financial sector and reform regulation of the UK capital markets.

At this stage many of the details remain to be announced and so it is a question of ‘watch this space’ to see how the government’s policy agenda will be implemented in practical terms.

Related latest updates
PREV NEXT

Related content

Arrow Back to Insights

Shorter Reads

The Queen’s Speech

Here we outline the key announcements relating to  Business and Employment law.

Published 12 May 2022

Associated sectors / services

  • Employment law for employees
  • Employment law for employers

Authors

Tuesday’s Queen’s Speech outlined the UK government’s agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session. Among the key policy announcements in relation to business and employment were:

  • Plans for a bill that will give British ports powers to refuse entry to ferry services that do not pay their workers the national minimum wage. This is part of the government’s response to the well-publicised issues with P&O Ferries who made their crews redundant without consultation and hired agency worker to undertake the work at much lower wages.
  • A planned Data Reform bill to enable the UK to deviate from EU data protection rules. It is expected that the draft bill will be published in the summer and it is part of a wider set of data protection reforms with the stated aim of reducing ‘red tape’ and costs.
  • A new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill that will increase the investigatory powers of Companies House and introduce identity verification for people who own and control UK companies.
  • A Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which will include new planning powers for local authorities to bring empty shops back into use. News of this controversial bill leaked to the press earlier this week and received some criticism from interested groups.
  • An Audit Reform Bill that will establish a new statutory regulator with powers to enforce directors’ financial reporting duties.
  • A Financial Service and Markets Bill that is intended to simplify EU rules in the financial sector and reform regulation of the UK capital markets.

At this stage many of the details remain to be announced and so it is a question of ‘watch this space’ to see how the government’s policy agenda will be implemented in practical terms.

Associated sectors / services

  • Employment law for employees
  • Employment law for employers

Authors

Need some more information? Make an enquiry below.

    Subscribe

    Please add your details and your areas of interest below

    Specialist sectors:

    Legal services:

    Other information:

    Jurisdictions of interest to you (other than UK):

    Article contributors

    Enjoy reading our articles? why not subscribe to notifications so you’ll never miss one?

    Subscribe to our articles

    Message us on WhatsApp (calling not available)

    Please note that Collyer Bristow provides this service during office hours for general information and enquiries only and that no legal or other professional advice will be provided over the WhatsApp platform. Please also note that if you choose to use this platform your personal data is likely to be processed outside the UK and EEA, including in the US. Appropriate legal or other professional opinion should be taken before taking or omitting to take any action in respect of any specific problem. Collyer Bristow LLP accepts no liability for any loss or damage which may arise from reliance on information provided. All information will be deleted immediately upon completion of a conversation.

    I accept Close

    Close
    Scroll up
    Get In Touch Print this page
    Collyer Bristow
    ExpandNeed a hand?Toggle

    < Back to menu

    I have an issue and need your help

    Scroll to see our A-Z list of expertise

    Get in touch

    Get in touch using our form below.