When: 8 February to 8 March 2017
What’s happening: In-river works will be taking place to trim overhanging trees.
Feb272017
Notice: Wadenhoe to Orton
Feb272017
News story: Invitation to tender for research from the Low Pay Commission 2017
The Low Pay Commission is commissioning new research to understand the effects of the NLW. The closing date is 13 March 2017.
The introduction of the National Living Wage is a major change for the labour market – likely to represent a sharp increase in the nominal, real and relative value of the UK’s pay floor. Coverage is set to triple by 2020.
In some sectors more than half of workers could be paid at the minimum – all at a time of major change in the economy, and the welfare system. It is, in effect, a natural experiment.
Such a significant change in the minimum wage is likely to have a wide set of effects and there are many approaches that could be used to analyse such effects.
The Low Pay Commission has launched its latest invitation to tender for research. Please see the links below to the projects on the central procurement provider, UKSBS Contracts Finder. The deadline is 13 March 2017. These are open tender calls for research and cover 3 areas.
We are commissioning research:
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on the impact of the National Minimum Wage and the new National Living Wage on employment and hours (UK SBS BLOJEU-CR17029LPC).
One project will be commissioned with a total budget up to £60,000. Link to Contracts Finder.
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into the impact of the minimum wage regime on the labour market outcomes of young workers (UK SBS BLOJEU-CR17030LPC).
One project will be commissioned with a total budget up to £60,000. Link to Contracts Finder.
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open call for Other Research on the Impact of the National Living Wage (UK SBS BLOJEU-CR17028LPC).
Up to four projects will be commissioned, with a total budget of £100,000. Link to Contracts Finder.
Please circulate to colleagues who may be interested.
Please also note that the LPC will be holding a research workshop on the afternoon of Thursday 6 April. Details will follow shortly.
Feb272017
News story: Low Pay Commission visits programme 2017
The Low Pay Commission’s purpose is to provide advice to the Government on the rates of the National Living Wage and the other National Minimum Wages, as well as other related issues.
We want to hear first hand evidence from employers, workers and anyone else with a view on the minimum wage and its effects.
We are visiting Leeds, Glasgown and East Renfrewshire, Belfast, Newport and Gwent, and Melton and East Northamptonshire.
See the table below for dates, and click the link below to arrange a meeting with us. You can also give us a call on 020 7215 8772.
We are particularly interested in the effects of the National Living Wage, the minimum wage for workers aged 25 and over, which was introduced at £7.20 in April 2016 and will rise to £7.50 on 1 April 2017.
All the other minimum wage rates will increase on 1 April as well (see table below for rates) and we would like to hear views on these too.
The LPC organises an annual programme of visits to gather evidence in support of our recommendations to government. The visits are attended by members of our Commission and Secretariat.
We can host meetings in the locations we visit, but it is also extremely useful for us to visit businesses and workers at their place of work to see the effects of the minimum wage ‘on the ground’. So, we would be delighted if you would like to host us and show us around your business.
Please note that the date of the visit to Belfast has been changed since the programme was originally sent to our stakeholders.
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| 26-27 April | Leeds |
| 31 May-1 June | Glasgow and East Renfrewshire |
| 7-8 June | Belfast |
| 5-6 July | Newport and Gwent |
| 9-10 August | Melton and East Northamptonshire |
National Minimum Wage rates
| Minimum Wage rate | Current rate (hourly) | Rate from 1 April 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage | £7.20 | £7.50 |
| 21-24 Year Old Rate | £6.95 | £7.05 |
| 18-20 Year Old Rate | £5.55 | £5.60 |
| 16-17 Year Old Rate | £4.00 | £4.05 |
| Apprentice Rate | £3.40 | £3.50 |
| Accommodation offset | £6.00 | £6.40 |
Feb272017
Notice: Wooden Queens Park and Kempston Bridge, Bedford
Updated: Locations added of further trees that have fallen in to the navigation.
When: until further notice.
What’s happening: there are various fallen trees in the navigation near to Wooden Queens Park and Kempston Bridge.
Feb272017
SNP urged to act after businesses hit by licensing change
27 Feb 2017
The Scottish Conservatives are demanding the SNP to start providing the necessary support to the businesses across Scotland who have been negatively affected by the Air Weapons and Licensing Act (AWLA).
The act was implemented last year despite the Scottish Conservatives voting against it.
It has recently emerged that as a result of the SNP’s legislation many businesses face an uncertain future, particularly in the private car hire industry, many of whom have voiced concern.
Wedding car operators are just one of the industries sucker-punched by the AWLA provisions.
Many of them are being forced to pay the large cash sums in order to pay for the licenses that are needed to meet the additional costs.
The unfair regulations saw West of Scotland MSP Jamie Greene echo the worries of the affected businesses to Nicola Sturgeon during last week’s First Minister’s Questions.
Mr Greene asked the First Minister: “What action is being done to mitigate the impact that their Weapons and Licensing Act is having on industries?”
Ms Sturgeon replied: “With any piece of legislation it’s vital that we strike the right balance between the legislation doing what it is intended to do without putting unnecessary burdens on business or anyone else.”
Mr Greene’s question was not the first time he had brought the issue to the SNP’s attention, and he is now demanding that the SNP provides the support needed for the businesses hit.
Scottish Conservative West MSP Jamie Greene said:
“The SNP simply has to start providing solutions and answers for these many businesses affected.
“Despite numerous attempts to reach out to the SNP I have yet to receive any real clarity on the matter.
“During First Minister’s Questions I brought to light the story of one of my constituents, Mr Brian Jay of Saltcoats.
“Mr Jay owns and runs ‘Jay’s Luxury Wedding Cars’ and as a result of this act risks having to shut the private hire part of his business.
“The SNP needs to find a way to address the issues business face as a result of the Air Weapons and Licensing Act, and provide some clarity for the likes of Mr Jay and many other businesses across Scotland.
“The uncertainty is already damaging confidence in the industry.
“It’s vital that the SNP outline what assessments they will be undertaking on individual operators and set out a clear time frame for doing so.”