The Government has named a further 25 employers who failed to pay their employees the minimum wage. The new regime introduced in October 2013 makes it easier to name and shame wrongdoers.

Business Minister Jenny Willott said:

‘Paying less than the minimum wage is not only wrong, it’s illegal. If employers break the law they need to know that they will face tough consequences. Any worker who is entitled to the minimum wage should receive it.’

A company responsible for maintaining the grounds of a naval base in Cornwall has been fined after three workers were diagnosed with a debilitating condition that left them with permanent nerve damage.

The three men, who do not wish to be named, were employed by Babcock Flagship Ltd to maintain the extensive grounds at HMS Raleigh in Torpoint where they were exposed to high levels of hand arm vibration (HAV) caused by using tools such as hedge cutters and strimmers for long periods.

The Government has published new guidance which clarifies some of the more complex issues surrounding the use of recovery vehicles. It is hoped that the guidance will make it easier for vehicle operators and drivers to understand the requirements and be able to comply with eth relevant legislation.

The guide, whilst not being legally binding, provides some guidance on the historically contentious issues such as whether a vehicle is disabled.

The guide confirms that, ‘a disabled vehicle is one which cannot reasonably be driven due to mechanical failure or dangerous components, or even incapable of use in the reasoned opinion of the recovery operator. It is not sufficient to deliberately disable a vehicle (eg disconnect the battery) to call it disabled for the purposes of defining a recovery vehicle.’

So why does it matter whether a vehicle is disabled when it is transported?

Negotiations are underway in the EU to harmonise and provide robust Data Protection in all 28 member states. The UK’s Data Protection Act 1998 is ripe for revision due to the vast change in data processing technology since its introduction some 16 years ago. The sheer volume of data now held by organisations coupled with the international nature of online activities means that our data is potentially worldwide and accessible by anyone. Changes in technology and the rise of cyber attacks on organisations has led to the need to revise data processing legislation.