Businesses show support for Beecroft

A new survey has shown strong support from employers for proposals allowing “no fault dismissals” which have been included in the Beecroft report.

The government commissioned report by venture capitalist Adrian Beecroft recommended that businesses should be able to dismiss workers more easily and, though it appears that the government may be backing down from taking that specific proposal any further, employers have made it clear that they would support these measures.

The Institute of Directors survey, of 1,100 businesses found three-quarters, 76%, in support of the Beecroft plans with a third saying that such a move could lead to them employing more workers. Simon Walker, the institute’s director-general, said that the proposals would “set businesses free” by reducing regulatory burdens and encouraging firms to take on more staff. He warned against any watering down of the plans.

However he may be too late. The Lib Dems in the coalition have already been vocal with Vince Cable calling the plan “bonkers” and Nick Clegg saying there was no evidence that the proposals were necessary. David Cameron, in the Commons, said that as a result of the Beecroft report, “we are doubling the qualifying period for unfair dismissal, we are exempting businesses with less than 10 people from new EU regulations, we are exempting a million people who are self-employed from health and safety. We are consulting on no-fault dismissal, but only for micro-businesses. It was a good report and it’s right that we take forward its best measures.”

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/9286145/Beecroft-report-Well-hir...