ow that said, there are a couple of changes that have caught my eye of late. The first is the damming tax changes bought in by our Darling Chancellor. Let me say --- and I quote --- “Tax changes to hit low earners by scrapping of the 10% income tax rate will leave low-paid workers worse off.” The definition of Low-paid workers as stated by the Commons Treasury Committee are childless single people earning under £18,500, as they stand to lose up to £232 a year. Now it’s heartening to know that so far 73 Labour MPs have signed motions expressing their concern at the abolition of the 10% income tax rate. My point is that you will struggle to find a job advertised in our local press that is out of this “Low Pay” category. Indeed if you get offered a job of £18.5k a year in Norfolk you would consider that a well paid job would you not? Must people therefore are earning well below this low paid workers status and MP’s and the Chancellor need to “get real” and change this tax status to help so many that really do need assistance. You can find more on this story at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7333496.stm I also recommend that you log onto 10 Downing street site and let the PM know your displeasure.
The other change that caught my eye is the Control of Noise at Work Regulations which came into force in entertainment sector on 6th April. What does this mean? Well the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 came into force for the music and entertainment sectors. The legislation brings these sectors in line with other sectors where the Regulations have been in force since 2006. The Regulations apply to pubs, clubs, live music events, orchestras and other premises where live music or recorded music is played, and aim to ensure workers' hearing is protected from excessive noise at work. Under the Regulations, employers will be required to assess the risks to employees from noise at work.
Thousands of people are exposed to loud noise at work, with 170,000 people in the UK suffering deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions, as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work. These regulations aim to ensure workers’ hearing is protected from excessive noise at work, implement a European Commission Directive, and replace the Noise at Work Regulations 1989.
Now I’m sure that if you own a pubs, clubs, live music events, orchestras and other premises where live music or recorded music is played you are up to speed with this and understand how loud 85db is – and can tell – and will have a box of ear defenders for your staff as per the regulation. So does that mean that we will be able to talk to the people at our side when at these functions? With the bar staff having plugs in their ears I guess we will have to shout just as loud to have our orders heard !! Time will tell -- Happy Gigging. David
Further information can be found by visiting: http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/musicsound.htm
Developing & Coaching Businesses Ltd.'s (DCB's) Principal Consultant, David Bignell, is an Accredited Associate of the Institute for Independent Business (IIB). David is part of a network of over 3,000 other Executive Associates worldwide, enabling our clients access to and co-ordination/delivery of business support across a huge list of additional disciplines. David is a qualified MIBC Member of the Institute for Business Consultants. www.dcbs.info
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