26 November 2024
Workplace temperature during the Winter months
During working hours, the temperature in all indoor workplaces should be maintained at a reasonable level. While there are no specific laws that dictate minimum or maximum working temperatures, it is generally recommended that the temperature be at least 16ºC, or 13ºC if employees are engaged in physical work. Employers are responsible for adhering to health and safety regulations, which include ensuring a comfortable temperature and providing clean, fresh air for their staff.
NHBF Members can access our health and safety tool kit.
Retail Sector Plea for Rates Relief
Nine business groups including the NHBF representing the retail industry have written jointly to the Scottish Government’s Finance Secretary, Shona Robison MSP, asking her to ensure retailers in Scotland are awarded rates relief for 2025-26.
It follows the decision unveiled in the UK Budget to award the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England a temporary and capped rates relief for the coming year.
The call from retail representatives comes in the wake of the UK Government’s colossal increase in employer’s national insurance contributions which is set to cost retailers in Scotland £190 million each year, starting in April. The collective call comes ahead of the expected Stage 1 debate and vote on the Scottish Budget at Holyrood next week.
Employing temporary winter staff
Businesses that hire seasonal or temporary staff must determine who should be enrolled in a pension scheme based on the ages and earnings of employees each time they are paid.
This requirement applies to staff members who may be employed for only a few days, weeks, or several months within the financial year. For small businesses, especially those with fluctuating staff hours and earnings or employees who join and leave during pay periods, this assessment can be more complicated. To assist with compliance, the Pensions Regulator provides a free tool specifically designed for seasonal and temporary staff, which outlines the legal obligations of businesses.
Biggest employment reforms in a generation unveiled to Get Britain Working again
Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall has published the Get Britain Working White Paper, marking the Government's first major intervention to achieve an ambitious 80 per cent employment rate.
- White Paper on biggest reforms to employment support for a generation published today, backed by £240 million investment
- Jobcentres transformed across Great Britain and every young person to have access to an apprenticeship, quality training and education opportunities
- Mental health support is to be expanded and extra capacity deployed to reduce waiting lists in areas with the highest levels of inactivity
It comes as stark figures show almost one and a half million people are unemployed, over nine million people are inactive, a record 2.8 million people are out of work due to long-term sickness. Young people have also been left behind with one in eight young people not in education, employment or training, and nine million adults lack the essential skills they need to get on in work.
This White Paper sets out a fundamentally different approach to the employment support system - backed by £240 million of investment - to target and tackle the root causes of unemployment and inactivity, and better join up health skills and employment support based on the unique needs of local communities.
The NHBF Top 100 Influencer 2024
Did you miss the NHBF Top 100 Influencer 2024 live event?
No need to worry! You can now watch the event on our YouTube Channel and discover who was crowned this year’s number one influencer.