Chancellor's small business exemption plans unlikely to have much impact

date: 8 October 2012

embargo: For immediate release

Commenting on new proposals for small businesses in the Chancellor's speech to the Conservative Party conference today (Monday, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'We deplore any attack on maternity provision or protection against unfair dismissal, but these complex proposals do not look as if they will have very much impact as few small businesses will want to tie themselves up in the tangle of red tape necessary to trigger these exemptions.

'This looks more to be said for effect, than because it will make much difference, but we will be vigilant to ensure that they do not represent the thin end of a future anti-employee wedge driven by the Beecroft report.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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- On Saturday 20 October thousands of people from across the UK will be heading to London for A Future That Works - a march which starts on the Embankment and ends with a rally in Hyde Park. The day is being organised by the TUC in protest against the government's austerity measures and calls for a new approach which puts growth and an economy that works for ordinary families at the heart of government policy www.afuturethatworks.org

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