Issue 26 – May 2023
Welcome to the May issue of the Fast Forward Newsletter
Fast Forward News
Industry and Legislative News – ALL SECTORS
- Reversal of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill
- Proposed Changes to Employment Law – Working Time Regulations
- Proposed Changes to Employment Law – TUPE
Apparel and General Merchandise
Waste and Recycling
We want to hear from you! Share your feedback and requests for inclusions in this publication or any other part of the program. Contact us today!
The Fast Forward Team
FAST FORWARD NEWS
Stronger Together – 10-Year Anniversary
Event Round-Up!
Thank you to everyone who joined the Fast Forward team at Stronger Together’s 10-year anniversary event. It was an inspiring day, bringing together like-minded individuals from various backgrounds, united by a common goal of working ‘Towards a Future Free from Exploitation’.
At the heart of our anniversary event was the powerful keynote speech delivered by Red Godfrey-Sagoo, an influential figure and anti-trafficking leader. Her thought-provoking reflections shed light on one of the world’s oldest crimes—slavery and human trafficking—and highlighted the urgency to confront and eradicate these abhorrent practices. Her words resonated deeply reminding us all that the persistence of these crimes throughout history should not be accepted as an excuse for their continued existence. She urged us to rise above complacency and take action to improve the direction of humanity.
Throughout the event, we witnessed insightful discussions, collaborative workshops, and inspiring presentations that showcased the collective determination to make progress. We explored innovative strategies, shared best practices, and learned from one another’s experiences. The event served as a catalyst for new ideas, strengthened partnerships, and an enhanced sense of collaboration.
As we reflect on significant progress made in the last 10 years, we also acknowledge that there is much work left to be done.
The challenges we face may be daunting, but the event reminded us that we are stronger together. It is through our collaboration, resilience, and unwavering commitment that we can continue to drive progress and effect lasting change. We encourage each and every one of you to stay engaged, keep sharing your insights, and continuously improve.
Here’s to the next decade of progress and collaboration!
Webinar: Make it British with Kate Hills
Recording now available
We want to express our sincerest gratitude to Kate Hills for gracing us with her invaluable expertise during the recent Fast Forward webinar “UK Manufacturing at it’s best”
Kate Hills, the visionary behind Make it British, joined us as a guest speaker, shedding light on the opportunities that exist within UK manufacturing. Make it British serves as a platform dedicated to promoting UK-made brands and manufacturers, while raising awareness of the ongoing manufacturing that takes place right here in Britain.
For those who couldn’t attend the event, we have good news! The webinar was recorded and is now available to view. Simply log in to your Dashboard and access the recording to benefit from Kate’s valuable insights at your convenience. We highly recommend taking the time to watch it, as her expertise is sure to spark new ideas and perspectives on manufacturing in the UK.
At Fast Forward, we believe in the power of knowledge sharing and fostering connections within our community. Events like these provide a unique opportunity to learn from industry experts, gain practical insights, and expand our horizons. If you would like to apply to be a speaker at a Fast Forward webinar or have a suggestion get in contact.
Engage and Empower
Supplier (SEP) Training Sessions
Supplier Engagement Programme (SEP) training sessions are now open for booking through your Dashboard. Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge within the SEP framework. The next available session is scheduled for Thursday, 22nd June.
Designed for suppliers, this new 2.5-hour format offers a comprehensive training experience that covers essential aspects of the SEP. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect from this engaging event:
- Gain confidence in navigating the SEP Dashboard, ensuring you make the most of its supportive features and resources.
- Review the self-paced Core Labour Standards online training modules to understand how to stay up to date on latest developments in legal and ethical standards.
- Learn the management systems approach, to ensure your business is compliant every day of the year, supporting continuous improvement.
- Q&A: Engage in interactive discussions and have your burning questions answered by our knowledgeable trainers and industry experts.
To explore the full agenda of topics in our training sessions, click here for more details!
As a valued SEP subscriber, you are entitled to one complimentary training place every 12 months. This ensures you have the opportunity to benefit from ongoing professional development and stay up-to-date with the evolving standards and practices.
For those who have already attended training but wish to participate again as a refresher, or for those who would like to extend the opportunity to colleagues from your business, we are pleased to offer additional tickets at the discounted rate of £95.00 + VAT.
LEGISLATIVE AND INDUSTRY NEWS
Reversal of the Retained EU Law
(Revocation and Reform) Bill
In a written statement to parliament, the government has announced a change in its approach to the sunset clause within the bill.
Currently, the bill states that almost all EU laws, including the Agency Worker’s Regulations and the Working Time Regulations, would be automatically revoked by the end of 2023, unless a specific statutory instrument is passed to preserve them.
However, the government has now decided to reverse this position. Instead, EU laws will remain legally binding in the UK unless they are explicitly repealed. This means that the default stance is to maintain EU laws unless there is a deliberate action to remove them.
To provide clarity, the government has published a list of EU laws that it intends to repeal at the end of this year. You can find the published list here.
Proposed Changes to Employment Law
As most EU legislation is now being retained, the government has released their ‘Vision for regulation,’ outlining their plans to reform existing regulations. Let’s dive into the proposed changes announced:
Working Time Regulations
Consolidating Holiday Entitlement: The government is considering merging ‘normal’ holiday leave and ‘additional’ holiday leave to create a unified entitlement of 5.6 weeks. This aims to simplify the current situation where the two types of leave can be treated differently.
Rolled-Up Holiday Pay: The government is exploring the possibility of allowing ‘rolled-up’ holiday pay. Currently, this practice is technically unlawful.
Record-Keeping Requirements: The government is considering removing the requirement for record-keeping related to working hours under the Working Time Regulations.
TUPE
(Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment)
Streamlined Consultation: The government proposes removing the requirement to consult with appointed representatives when there are fewer than 50 employees in the business and fewer than 10 transferees during a TUPE process.
It is important to note that no specific timetable has been announced for these changes. However, as they do not require primary legislation, there is potential for them to be implemented relatively quickly. We will closely monitor any updates regarding these proposed changes to employment law and keep you informed of any developments. Please stay tuned for further information as it becomes available.
Women secure equal pay with refuse workers after a decade
Women workers at Brighton and Hove Council have won a deal to improve their pay in line with workers in refuse and recycling. After a decade of talks, the Unison union has secured an agreement to improve pay for around 800 city council key workers, mostly women, plus a settlement of up to £2,000.
Just Good Work
Just Good Work is a free, interactive mobile app giving jobseekers and workers from the UK or abroad critical information and advice on recruitment and employment. The Fast Forward audit requires businesses to display the Just Good Work poster.
Posters are available to download for free in nine languages from the Fast Forward website: Albanian, Bulgarian, English, Croatian, Gujarati, Polish, Romanian, Serbian and Ukrainian.
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