Consultations
Have your say on government policy
Make your views heard, share your concerns and tell policy makers in government what you think by taking part in consultations.
We list current consultations of interest to businesses in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on this page.
You can find Scotland only consultations on the Scottish Government website - Opens in a new window.
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The transitional arrangements for the non-domestic rating revaluation 2010
The next business rates revaluation takes effect from 1 April 2010. The revaluation does not raise extra revenue but some rate bills will rise and some will fall. The Government will introduce transitional arrangements to phase in large changes in individual rate bills arising from the 2010 revaluation.
| Relevant for: | All businesses |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 23 November 2009 |
URL: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/nndrrevaluation2010
Additional paternity leave and pay - consultation on draft regulations
The purpose of this consultation is to give employers and parents a chance to view and comment on the draft regulations before they are laid before Parliament. The consultation document provides information on the detail of the policy and interpretation of the regulations to aid understanding of how the scheme will work in practice.
| Relevant for: | All businesses |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 20 November 2009 |
URL: http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/page52964.html
Extension of the notice display period caused by the VAT rate change
This is a consultation on amending section 11(a) of the Price Marking Order (2004) to extend the length of time that traders can display a general notice informing consumers about the January 1 VAT rate change, and need not alter price tickets or labels for goods, from 14 days to 28 days.
| Relevant for: | Retailers |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 23 November 2009 |
URL: http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/page53298.html
Proposal to amend the provisions concerning a change to the VAT rate
Proposal to extend the length of time that traders can display a general notice, and need not alter price tickets or labels for goods, from 14 days to 28 days. Retailers have indicated that 28 days would provide them with sufficient time to then comply with the pricing requirements.
| Relevant for: | Retailers |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 23 November 2009 |
URL: http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/page53298.html
Overhead deployment of telecommunications cables
This consultation considers whether it would be appropriate to relax restrictions on overhead deployment of communications cables in order to encourage faster and wider rollout of next generation super fast broadband in areas that might not otherwise be covered by these services.
| Relevant for: | Telecommunications companies and other stakeholders with an keen interest in the deployment of broadband and next generation access |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 27 November 2009 |
URL: http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/page52420.html
Implementation of the Agency Workers Directive
This consultation sets out the government's proposed approach to implementation of the Agency Workers Directive in the light of policy consultation earlier this year. It provides a synopsis of responses to the previous consultation, sets out the way in which we now intend to proceed, and seeks comments on draft regulations.
| Relevant for: | Temporary work agencies, companies who use agency workers |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 11 December 2009 |
URL: http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/page53060.html
Information sharing between bodies that enforce workplace rights
This consultation seeks views on proposals for a legislative reform order to put in place a limited number of information-sharing gateways between the bodies responsible for enforcing workplace rights.
| Relevant for: | All businesses |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 17 December 2009 |
URL: http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/page53064.html
Implementing the Wireless Radio Spectrum Modernisation Programme
The government has the power to direct Ofcom, subject to approval from Parliament, but is required to consult on any direction by statute. This consultation document therefore seeks views on the proposed direction to Ofcom.
| Relevant for: | Mobile service providers |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 8 January 2010 |
URL: http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/page53062.html
Review of the regulation of credit and store cards
The consultation sets out options for change that cover four specific aspects of the way credit and store cards operate: the allocation of payments; minimum payments; unsolicited credit limit increases; the re-pricing of existing debt. It also identifies scope to improve the simplicity and transparency of credit and store cards.
| Relevant for: | The credit industry |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 19 January 2010 |
URL: http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/page53299.html
Consultation on the terms of reference for an update of the OECD Guidelines
The main aims of the consultation process in the UK is to collect the views of UK stakeholders on the priority areas for an update of the OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises.
| Relevant for: | All businesses |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 25 January 2010 |
URL: http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/page53362.html
Penalties to tackle the problem of silent and abandoned calls to consumers
This consultation seeks views on whether the maximum penalty should be increased, and if so whether the new maximum should be £250,000, £500,000, £1 million or £2 million.
| Relevant for: | Telecommunication service providers, marketing companies |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 25 January 2010 |
URL: http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/page53310.html
Electronic identification for sheep and recording for sheep and goats
This consultation seeks views from farmers and other interested parties on how the new EU rules on the electronic identification of sheep and the individual recording of sheep and goats can best be implemented in England.
| Relevant for: | Sheep and goat farming |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 31 December 2009 |
URL: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/eid/index.htm
The sale and installation of replacement tyres on motor vehicles
The proposed regulations set the requirements that replacement tyres intended for cars, medium and heavy duty commercial vehicles, and their trailers must be type approved to noise limits and bear the appropriate approval markings.
| Relevant for: | Road transport sector |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 10 December 2009 |
URL: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/replacementtyres/
Consultation on proposals to increase maximum MOT test fees
Consultation on proposals to increase maximum MOT test fees by approximately 1.5% from 6 April 2010.
| Relevant for: | Road transport sector |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 21 December 2009 |
URL: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/mottestfees/
Guidance notes on legislation protecting dairy designations (England)
This Consultation formally seeks stakeholder????s comments and views on the draft updated guidance and to gain comments on the Agency????s proposed assessment process for the derogation protocol.
| Relevant for: | Food manufacturers |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 9 December 2009 |
URL: http://www.food.gov.uk/consultations/consulteng/2009/legislationdairy
Guidance notes on labelling fat spreads (England)
This consultation formally seeks stakeholders' comments and views on the draft updated guidance on the labelling of spreadable fats including margarine and butter.
| Relevant for: | Food manufacturers and industry engaged in the manufacture of dairy produce and vegetable/fat spreads |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 9 December 2009 |
URL: http://www.food.gov.uk/consultations/consulteng/2009/labellingonspreads
The foodstuffs suitable for people intolerant to gluten
Draft national regulations relating to England, providing execution and enforcement provisions for Commission Regulation (EC) No. 41/2009 concerning the composition and labelling of foodstuffs suitable for people intolerant to gluten.
| Relevant for: | Manufacturers, caterers and retailers of foods suitable for people intolerant to gluten |
|---|---|
| Comments by: | 25 January 2010 |
URL: http://www.food.gov.uk/consultations/consulteng/2009/draftsiintolglutenregs09eng
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