<p>Filter Knowledge</p>

A guide to future employment and immigration law. 

This briefing was updated on 23 April 2020.

There have been increasing concerns in recent weeks that UK insolvency law does not accommodate the short-term impact of COVID-19 on many businesses. In response, the Business Secretary announced on 28 March that the UK's insolvency rules would be amended as part of the Government's wider business support package.

Ofwat and Ofgem has published guidance (see Ofwat/ MOSL COVID-19 guidance update Ofgem's COVID-19 guidance webpage) to consumers and industry which gives insight into the approach the regulators are taking in response to COVID-19.

This briefing was updated on 22 June 2020.

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has taken a significant toll on both the aviation and maritime sectors. Regulators in both areas have taken measures both voluntarily and involuntarily to try and mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 and have implemented guidance on the implications on both sectors resulting from the dramatic downturn in customer use and restrictions on non-critical trade routes.

On 17 March, the Government announced that the changes to the Off-Payroll rules (the 'New Rules'), due to come in on 6 April 2020, would be delayed by one year as part of a package of measures to ease pressure on businesses in light of the coronavirus outbreak. In these challenging times, the news was welcomed by clients and contractors concerned about the financial impact the changes would have on them.

The ever increasing restrictions on movement and forced physical closures of businesses as a result of COVID-19 are a serious challenge to businesses. Understanding the risks in each part of your business is key to ensuring continuity in times of severe disruption like this.

The UK Government has just updated its guidance for Employers, Employees and Businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19). This is aimed at assisting employers and businesses in providing advice to their staff on how to help prevent spread of COVID-19, what to do if someone has symptoms of COVID-19 in a business setting and eligibility for sick pay. Employees are also given guidance on relevant information such as statutory sick pay and absence from work.

The Government has published its list of "key workers" whose work is considered critical to the COVID-19 response. The guidance is directed at schools, childcare providers, colleges and local authorities in England, and is intended to provide clarity, following the widespread closure of schools, as to which workers are considered sufficiently "key" for their children to be afforded continued care at school.

This briefing was updated on 26 March 2021.

The UK Government announced an unprecedented stimulus package to help support businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. These measures, originally announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his budget on 11 March 2020, have since been rapidly expanded.

As the UK's workforce works from home, Andy Lewis looks at how the pensions industry can respond together to COVID-19.

The global spread of coronavirus (now officially called Covid-19) presents a number of challenges to the UK business community. Whilst we hope that the outbreak is contained and does not become a pandemic, we recognise that businesses have to make contingency plans for a worst case scenario.

This briefing was updated on 17 September 2020.

Although the UK has left the EU, significant change will only take place after the transition period has expired and the UK has moved to a new relationship with the EU. The UK Government has a choice as to how quickly that change happens.

The purpose of this note is to focus on issues that could particularly affect portfolio companies of private equity and other financial investors. We have a depth of experience in advising portfolio companies and PE houses at unpredictable times, including throughout the global financial crisis and the uncertainty arising from Brexit.

This briefing was updated on 11 May 2020.

The COVID-19/Coronavirus outbreak has made many aspects of our lives more difficult but pension scheme members are relying on scheme administration and other trustee activities continuing as normal, so far as possible.

On the 16 March 2020, the Care Quality Commission ("CQC") wrote to all registered health and social care providers about how they were adapting their regulatory approach in response to the COVID-19 outbreak (the "CQC Guidance").

COVID-19 has prompted some swift action on the part of MHCLG, with relaxations in delivery times and temporary rights to changes of use for pubs and restaurants. There are also changes to the Planning Inspectorate's approach to appeals to be aware of.