Raft of new employment law changes comes into force in October

A raft of employment law changes will take effect in the UK tomorrow (1 October).

The National Minimum Wage will be increased to £5.73 for people aged 22 and over, up from £5.52. People aged 18 to 21 will be entitled to £4.77, up from £4.60, while under 18s will be entitled to at least £3.53, up from £3.40.

Women on additional maternity leave will be entitled to the same terms and conditions of employment as when they were on ordinary maternity leave (as long as their babies are expected after 5 October). All female employees are entitled to 26 weeks’ ordinary leave and the same period of additional leave when they have a baby.

Organisations will be able to make their employer’s liability insurance certificate available electronically rather than having to display a hard copy.

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Then on 27 October, Incapacity Benefit and Income Support will be replaced by Employment and Support Allowance for new applicants who are claiming on incapacity grounds. This is aimed at helping people with illnesses or disabilities to engage in appropriate work.

Also on 27 October, there will be an amendment to the Fixed Term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable) Treatment Regulations, removing the exclusion of certain agency workers from statutory sick pay. You can see the draft regulations here.