introduced across the UK in 2010 for employees in organisations with 250 or more employees. Under plans of the previous labour government, it was due to be extended to cover employees in all other organisations from April 2011. Of the options put forward in the consultation the government did not feel that it was safe to conclude from the responses received that it could proceed with the planned extension of the right to all employees in April 2011. Equally, given the strong level of support in some quarters, it was not possible to conclude that the consultation had delivered a decisive message in favour of the full repeal of the right. Furthermore, the responses showed there was little support for making changes to the way the right functions so this option is not being considered further. Given this position, the right to request time to train will therefore not be extended to employees of small and mediums sized organisations for the foreseeable future. The right will continue to be available to employees in large organisations with 250 or more employees. This decision will allow time for the evidence base to support the effectiveness of the policy to develop over time. The position will be kept under review. Any future decision on the policy will take account of evidence about levels of employer and employee investment in skills, as set out in The Plan for Growth (23 March 2011). Follow this link to download the full consultation response on the right to request time to train 22 February 2012 The complex Social Security (Categorisation of Earners) Regulations for lecturers, teachers, instructors or those in a similar capacity are to be repealed following the government’s response to the latest consultation. The summary of responses to the consultation about lecturers, teachers instructors or those in a similar capacity in relation to the Social Security (Categorisation of Earners) Regulations 1978. HMRC acknowledged in the consultation document that training providers experience particularly difficulty in understanding and applying HMRC’s interpretation of the Regulations. The consultation document summarised that in considering what change should be implemented to address the issues highlighted in the document, four options should be considered: (i) Do nothing; (ii) Formally extend the Regulations to all vocational training; (iii) Amend the Regulations so that they apply only in traditional educational environments; and (iv) Repeal the Regulations. HMRC have concluded that repeal is the most appropriate option on the basis that: There was no evidence that the Regulations are, to any significant extent, protecting the earnings-related contributory benefit entitlement of genuinely self-employed lecturers, teachers and instructors in the traditional education sector (their original policy intention); The labour market has changed considerably since the 1970s and now has diverse engagement practices; Social Security (Categorisation of Earners) Regulations 1978 LECTURERS, TEACHERS, INSTRUCTORS OR THOSE IN A SIMILAR CAPACITY
CIPP Policy News Journal
09/10/2012, Page 229 of 234
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