April 2024 has seen the following new employment legislation which has expanded the rights of employees. These changes took effect on the 6th April.
Employment Rights (Flexible Working) Act 2023
Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) 2023
For more information to see how this might affect you, read Patrick Brione’s House of Commons Library Insight article “What employment laws are changing from April 2024?”
On the 2nd May elections are taking place in 107 local authorities across England. In some areas you will be able to vote as to who is your Mayor and/or Police & Crime Commissioner and/or local Councillors. However you need to be entitled and registered to vote.
To vote in person, you must be registered by 23:59 BST on Tuesday 16th April. This can be done online using your National Insurance number, or by writing to your local council’s Electoral Registration Office.
On Polling Day, you will need to show an acceptable form of photo ID in order to vote. You do not need the Polling Card which should have been sent to you.
If you are registered to vote but do not have any of the 22 acceptable forms of ID, or you no longer look like the image in the ID you have, you can apply for a free document known as a Voter Authority Certificate. You need to do this though by 5pm on Wednesday 24th April for May’s elections.
For more information visit: Vote in UK elections – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
It has been confirmed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), that effective from April 8, benefits for 2024-25 are being increased, including Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance.
For more information see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-and-pension-rates-2024-to-2025/benefit-and-pension-rates-2024-to-2025
From Tuesday 9th April drivers now have extra ways of getting their licence or making changes with the additional functionality offered in the DVLA’s Driver & Vehicles Account. Also, those learning to drive can now apply for their first provisional licence through the same service.
The D&V account, launched less than a year ago allows you to check various details, such as the vehicles you are allowed to drive, what penalty points or driving bans you’ve acquired, and the tax rates for your vehicle(s). The service also allows you to receive your vehicle tax reminder(s) by text or email rather than through the post.
For more information on this service and to sign up for it, see: https://gov.uk/driver-vehicles-account
By 2025, the existing analogue technology (the PSTN – Public Switched Telephone Network) which has supported phone and broadband services for decades will be switched off and replaced with newer digital technology. Why? Because these analogue networks have reached the end of their serviceable life.
New digital phone lines will allow communications providers to offer consumers and businesses clearer and better quality phone calls, as well as new features such as anonymous caller rejection or three-way calling.
For most consumers, this change should be straightforward, although the exact migration process will depend on your communications provider and the equipment they use. If you already have an internet connection, the change may be as simple as plugging your phone into your broadband router rather than the socket on the wall.
Telecoms companies should contact their customers ahead of the migration taking place, so you do not need to take any action until your provider contacts you directly. You should look out for communications material from them and be careful not to confuse this with marketing material.
For more information see: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-transition-from-analogue-to-digital-landlines and: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/future-of-landline-calls or visit your provider’s website.
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