20 February 2008

Are you ready for the changes to the UK immigration system?

2008 will see a raft of changes to immigration practice in the UK. We set out the range of recent guidance from EEF, looking at the impact this will have on employers.

Employing illegal migrant workers - new penalties for breach

Cost of new style work permits announced

The government has announced the proposed fees for the first part of the new points based system for overseas workers.

Case law update – will a dismissal be fair where the employee's visa has expired?

The EAT held that it would usually be reasonable for an employer to dismiss, but there is no automatic right to do so. We look at the case and its implications for employers.

Case law update - Court of Appeal rules on reliance on expired disciplinary warnings

The Court of Appeal has confirmed that it may be fair to dismiss for misconduct even when the employer has taken into account an employee’s previous similar misconduct (which was subject of an expired final warning).

An Ageing Workforce - How are manufacturers preparing?

One of the major issues facing most advanced economies around the world, and indeed some of the emerging ones, is how to cope with the implications of an ageing population.

Consultation on pension schemes longevity estimates

Company final salary pension schemes may soon have to use much more realistic assumptions about how long their members are likely to live.

Extra funding for Acas to prevent unnecessary tribunals

The government has announced up to £37 million to prevent work place disputes unnecessarily going to employment tribunals.

Industry pay settlements allay fears of inflation impact

Fears that the increased cost of living would feed through into higher pay settlements in manufacturing appear to have been allayed in early indications from one of the busiest negotiating periods of the year, according to the latest data from EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation.

Industry welcomes rate cut

EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation welcomed the cut in interest rates, amidst growing evidence of a more significant slowdown than expected this year.

Long overdue announcement on New Street welcomed by EEF West Midlands

Responding to the news that the government has agreed to fund the redevelopment of Birmingham New Street Station, Peter O’Grady, Representation and Strategic Development Manager at EEF Midlands said:

Vote announcement

We recently wrote inviting you to vote to approve a major reorganisation at EEF. This will see us merge our nine separate regional Associations in England and Wales into a single organisation, enabling us to improve the quality and range of services we provide but, crucially, continuing to provide them through our regional structure.

Inflation Figures

Latest data has been released. Next published data available 12 February 2008.

Click below...

Retail Prices, Tax Prices, Consumer Prices.

Pay update - February 2008

EEF's monthly pay update provides the latest data on pay settlements across manufacturing.

University contact lists

If you are searching for a university contact we now hold extensive lists for you to download.

Do you understand the requirements of sustainable procurement?

Do you supply to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), or to any other public sector organisation? If so you will need to consider the challenges of meeting increasingly strict requirements brought about by ‘sustainable procurement’. The deadline for this survey is 3 March 2008. If you would like to participate, please post your completed questionnaire to us as soon as possible. Further survey forms can be requested from Julie Stepney.A free SWOT analysis of your business is available.

Government publishes water strategy

The government’s new water strategy for England, ‘ Future Water’ was published 7 February 2008. The strategy sets out its long term vision for water and the framework for water management in England.

Do you know the energy performance of your building?

The implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in England and Wales presents a great challenge for the transformation of UK building sector towards energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy resources. We look at the directive, which will come into full force in England and Wales over the coming year.

Weekly Policy Briefing - 8 February

EEF's weekly developments in policy & representation

Environmental Survey

The deadline for this survey is 3 March 2008. If you would like to participate, please post your completed questionnaire to us as soon as possible. Further survey forms can be requested from Julie Stepney.