April 2010 regulation changes
Common commencement dates
Most new laws affecting businesses come into force on one of two common commencement dates (CCDs) each year - 6 April and 1 October. CCDs enable you to prepare your business for the introduction of new, amended or reduced requirements.
Note that certain changes affect the financial year and so may have an in-force date of 1 April 2010. For simplicity, this summary treats both dates as a single CCD.
This page gives you an early snapshot of regulations expected to come into force for the April 2010 CCD. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
To keep informed of regulations affecting your business:
- see our section on regulation updates for detailed guidance for regulations that are about to, or have recently come into force
- sign up to our regulation update email alert service for regulatory news and any other CCD regulations that might arise
Taxes, returns & payroll
Employing people
Your business sector
Taxes, returns & payroll
VAT filing and payment: From 1 April 2010, all existing VAT-registered businesses with an annual turnover of £100,000 or more excluding VAT - and all businesses newly registering for VAT - will have to submit their VAT returns online and pay any VAT due electronically. See our regulation update: start of mandatory requirement to use HMRC's online VAT services.
Landfill tax: This will increase from £40 to £48 per tonne for disposals made - or treated as made - on or after 1 April 2010. See our regulation update: increase in landfill tax.
Business rates: The rateable value thresholds that determine a ratepayer's entitlement to small business rate relief or rural rate relief - and the amount of that relief - are being increased.
Employing people
Time for training: Employees in firms with more than 250 employees will gain the right to request time off for training. The right will be extended to all employees in April 2011. See our guide: consider time for training.
Your business sector
Building Regulations: House builders will have to comply with changes to the Building Regulations 2000. These will introduce for new homes:
- a minimum water efficiency requirement
- a maximum temperature requirement for bath water
The rules will also be strengthened and clarified on:
- the safety of hot water systems
- the supply of water of suitable quality for personal and food hygiene
Street works supervisors and operatives: Supervisors and trained operatives will have to be reassessed every five years before they can re-register on the Street Works Qualification Register and continue to carry out street works. See our regulation update: reassessment for street works operatives and supervisors.
Greyhound welfare: Minimum welfare standards are to be introduced for all greyhound racing tracks in England.
A new CCD summary page is published ahead of 6 April and 1 October each year. It may be updated from time to time, with each new version published replacing the preceding one.
The Government's Forward Regulatory Programme
The Forward Regulatory Programme sets out the planned changes to regulations which will impact on business and that are due to come into force by April 2011. It also lists the most significant measures that are being developed and are due to come into force after April 2011. Find out about the Forward Regulatory Programme on the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills website (PDF, 630K) - Opens in a new window.
Submit a suggestion to improve regulation
Businesses can have a direct influence on how the regulations that affect them are devised and delivered. Suggestions can include cutting the amount of time you spend filling in forms, ideas on where regulations that overlap or contradict can be rationalised or regulations, which in your view, are unnecessary. Submit a suggestion to improve regulation with the Better Regulation Executive.
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