BY Itrat Bashir
The UK’s 5.4 million businesses are set to benefit as the Enterprise Bill received Royal Assent on May 4 and became the Enterprise Act.
The package of measures in the Act will help the government deliver on many of its commitments, from cutting red tape and tackling late payment to boosting the quality and quantity of apprenticeships, said an official spokesperson.
On the new Enterprise Act, Business Secretary Sajid Javid said this will help deliver the growth and security that benefits every single person in the country. “It is proof that this government is delivering on its commitment to back the business owners who are the real heroes of our economic recovery,” he added.
Under the new law, a Small Business Commissioner will be established to help small firms resolve issues such as late payment. Moreover, it will include the actions of regulators in the government’s £10 billion deregulation target and increase transparency through annual reporting requirements.
The government will 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.
Through the law the government intends to 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.
Finally, the law will create a legal obligation for insurers to pay claims to businesses within a reasonable time.
Welcoming the new Act, Business Minister Anna Soubry said: “Together these measures will give a big boost to British enterprise. The Small Business Commissioner will help tackle the scandal of late payment, one of the leading issues for smaller firms. While the positive steps to reduce the burden of regulation and give more young people the opportunity to do an apprenticeship will benefit millions of businesses across the country.”
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.
