MOST new laws affecting businesses come into force on one of two dates – April 6 and October 1. From last week a number of new regulations now affect business owners in the UK.

Two of the most important are changes affecting businesses employing members of staff.

The national minimum wage rates have increased, meaning that workers over the age of 21 are now entitled to a minimum pay of £6.08 an hour; workers aged 18-20 £4.98 an hour, and those under 18,£3.68 an hour.

In addition, agency workers now have the same rights as employees if they have worked for 12 continuous calendar weeks with the same hirer, in the same role. These weeks will be accrued even if they only work a few hours each week.

It means that agency workers must be treated as if they have been directly recruited once they have passed the qualifying period.

The result is that once agency workers have completed the qualifying period they must have access to any on-site facilities as would be given to a comparable employees, such as access to canteens, childcare, parking and transport. They must also have access to information on relevant job vacancies within the business.

Employers must give agency workers the same benefits as given to employees, including key elements of pay, such as salary, overtime pay, shift allowances, bonuses, lunch vouchers and annual leave pay, working time, rest periods and breaks among others.

Business Link is here to offer established businesses in the region free advice, support and guidance. Our specialist advisers can explain the new regulations in more detail and discuss what the implications are for your business. But if you want to take advantage of this free face-to-face business advice there has never been a more important time to contact Business Link.

At the end of November the way Business Link operates is changing. The service will be delivered almost entirely through a comprehensive website, the face-to-face contact with specialist advisers, which so many of our clients find invaluable, will no longer be available.

:: By Business Link adviser Chris Simpson.

Make sure you take advantage of our regional business advisers’ expertise. Call 0845 600 9006, visit www.bl-ne.co.uk , or follow us on Twitter @businesslinkne The Business Link service is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is delivered in the North East by the Business & Enterprise Group.