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ARTICLE · 25 MAY 2023

Smarter Regulation: Changes To Working Time, TUPE And Restrictive Covenants Announced

Weightmans LLP
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In the policy paper ‘Smarter Regulation to Grow the Economy' published on 10 May 2023 the Government has announced a number of employment...

United KingdomEmployment and HR
Ben Daniel
Ben Daniel
Arshoo Singh
Arshoo Singh

The Government recently announced a number of employment related reforms intended to cut costs and reduce the administrative burden for businesses.

In the policy paper 'Smarter Regulation to Grow the Economy' published on 10 May 2023 the Government has announced a number of employment related reforms intended to cut costs and reduce the administrative burden for businesses.

The paper proposes changes to working time, TUPE and post-termination restrictions, all in the context of cutting back regulation following Brexit. The Government's stated aim is to save UK business up to £1 billion per year through deregulation, while still safeguarding worker's rights.

Working time

There are two aspects to the Government's proposed reform of Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR). The first relates to record-keeping. The legislation currently requires employers to record working hours for almost all staff, which can be burdensome and time-consuming (although, in practice,

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