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As the countdown to the changes continues, employers must ensure they are ready to meet their obligations. The Pensions Act 2008, which is due to come into effect in 2012, will, for the first time place a legal duty on employers to enrol most employees into a pension scheme and contribute towards their retirement. The move is aimed at getting an estimated seven million extra workers saving for retirement. All UK companies will have to offer their staff a pension, with the roll-out beginning in 2012.

The new rules, which will lead to up to eight million people saving into a pension for the first time, will apply to every firm, regardless of how many workers it employs. But companies will be able to wait for three months before staff are enrolled into a pension scheme, to reduce costs for firms that employ large numbers of temporary workers.

The amount people have to be earning before they are automatically enrolled has also been increased from £5,035 under the previous government’s proposals to £7,475, in line with the level at which income tax is paid. Other measures to help companies manage the changes include simplifying the process for firms to show that their pension schemes meet the minimum standards required and further measures to reduce the red tape surrounding pension schemes.

The previous government set out plans for all workers to be automatically enrolled into a company pension scheme from October 2012, although they will retain the right to opt out. Individuals will have to contribute 4% of their pay to the schemes, with companies paying in 3% and the Government topping this up with 1%.

• The Pensions Act will take effect from 2012
• It will be gradually introduced depending on employers’ size
• At least 8% of an employee’s qualifying earnings must be paid into a pension, which is made up of 3% employer contributions, 4% employee contributions, and 1% tax relief
• There will be opt out of schemes for staff, in which case, employers will no longer be liable for paying employee contributions
• All employers must offer a qualifying workplace pension scheme and automatically enrol eligible employees. Those who do not must enrol staff into the system of personal accounts, which will be launched to provide access to a lost-cost  pensions vehicle
• Employers will be able to self certify that their existing workplace pension schemes meet the minimum requirements set out by the act

When the act comes into effect, the changes will be phased in over three stages depending on the size of an organisation based on PAYE payroll data. Selected larger employers will be required to comply first, followed by small- and medium-sized organisations and, lastly, by the smallest employers. The need to phase in the changes reflects the enormity of the task.

For more detailed information and guidance please visit thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/pensions-reform

London’s great garden party – the great and the good attend. Buckingham Palace garden party hosted by the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh.

Jonathon Smith COO of Network Group Holdings plc and Rebecca Banks Managing Director of Executive Network Legal Ltd are invited to attend the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May 2012.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by other members of the Royal Family, enter the garden party at 4.00 pm, when the national anthem is played by one of two military bands playing selections of music during the afternoon.

It’s about pomp and ceremony and tradition. Cups of tea, crustless sandwiches and cake is served in the palace’s marquees to those who work hard for their local communities, or successful in their professions and  deserve recognition.

Established in 1863, the garden parties have been part of “the season” for many years.

After playing the national anthem, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, together with other members of the Royal Family, circulate amongst the guests. Each take a different route and random presentations are made so everyone has an equal opportunity of speaking to Her Majesty and members of her family. With tea, cakes and a beautiful garden to stroll in, the garden parties are among the most relaxed and informal Royal events.

At about 6.00pm, The Queen and other members of the Royal Family leave the garden, when the national anthem is played again to mark the end of the party.

The Yeoman of the Guard, Gentleman at Arms and Gentleman Ushers are on duty at the Palace.

The garden occupies 42 acres and has two and half miles of gravel paths. Notable features include a large 19th century lake which is graced by a flock of flamingos and the Waterloo Vase. In the garden there is a summerhouse, a helicopter pad and a tennis court.

The dress code for ladies is a formal day dress with a hat or a substantial fascinator. Off the shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti straps and dresses with straps less than one inch wide and mini skirts are considered unsuitable. Midriffs must be covered and trouser suits must be full length and of matching material and colour. For gentleman, either black or grey morning dress, including a waistcoat and top hat service dress is also acceptable.

Ms Banks commented ” I am delighted to receive the invitation and look forward to an enjoyable afternoon, full of English tradition.”

Its that time of year again, the dark mornings and nights have drawn in and the shopping centres have opened their doors for late night shopping.  Along with this is the arrival of the Christmas German Market and Craft Fair in Birmingham City Centre. With it this year it has brought the beautiful delights of mulled wine, handmade toys, grilled sausages, crepes, marzipan sweets and many more treats. Known as one of the largest outdoor Christmas Markets in the country they are based throughout Birmingham City Centre from 17th November to 23rd December form 10am until 9pm. The German Market has been around for 10 years and offers 180 stalls to browse through. Christmas markets were very popular in the UK until Oliver Cromwell banned the celebration of Christmas, Lincolnshire was the first to revive Christmas Markets 26 years ago.  The German Market is a very popular destination for the local workforce to enjoy an after work get together and for local residents to visit.  As well as providing a great opportunity to pick up a few Christmas gifts you can have a fantastic time celebrating the festive season with colleagues, friends and family.

References – www.christmasmarkets.com    www.birmingham.gov.uk/frankfurtmarket

Celebrate the festive season in style with these highlights from the winter’s events calendar.

Sing songs merrily on high – traditional carols, readings and choral works by the Abbey Choir in the beautiful surroundings of Westminster Abbey – 13th December www.westminster-abbey.org/christmas-concert.

The live stage show based on Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman with music and lyrics by Howard Blake. When a young boy’s snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve the two set off on a night-time quest for adventure. On their travels, they meet dancing penguins, reindeer and crowds of the Snowman’s friends. Presented by  Birmingham Repertory – www.thsh.co.uk/view/the-snowman-2

Skate at Somerset House presented by Tiffany & Co -  Head to the Strand for a fun filled day sliding across one of London’s favourite ice rinks  22nd Nov – 22nd Jan –  www.somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink

 The World of Alice – Delight in Lewis Carroll’s tale, as Tate Liverpool stages an exhibition on the far reaching influences of Alice in Wonderland – www.tate.org.uk/liverpool

Gourmet Carols by Candlelight, Yorkshire – Enjoy a three course, Swiss inspired meal, accompanied by carols from some of Yorkshires most beautiful voices at Betty’s in Harrogate -  www.bettys.co.uk/events main.asp

The Royal Shakespeare Company present Roald Dahls Matilda the musical,  a real treat for Christmas – Cambridge Theatre London – www.matildathemuscial.com

Raymond Gubbays Christmas Festival – a variety of wonderful and entertaining shows from Christmas Classics with Lesley Garratt to Anton Du Beke’s Christmas  Cracker, hosted at the Royal Albert Hall – www.raymondgubbay.co.uk

Birmingham Royal Ballet present the Nutcracker, a spectacular Christmas treat you will never forget – 27^th  -  30th December –  www.theo2.co.uk

Christmas with the Puppini Sisters’, Birmingham Town Hall Wednesday 7^th December – This vocal trio, loosely based on 1940s close harmony, is backed by a thumping, grinding swing-punk band. Flamboyantly styled, witty and highly musical, the Sisters perform re-workings of wartime classics, imaginative arrangements of camp pop songs and a plethora of exciting original material – www.thsh.co.uk/view/christmas-with-the-puppini-sisters

Caribbean Christmas Fair in Leeds, Sat 26th November 2011: 10am – 7pm Sun 27th November 2011: 10am – 5pm. Northern Ballet, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7PA.  Entry is £2 and FREE for kid.  Santa will be there from 12 on both days  & Jack Sparrow will be making an appearance on Sunday.

Pantomimes in the UK 2011/12 - the Big Panto Guide is here to help you find a pantomime in your area to visit for Christmas – www.bigpantoguide.co.uk

Christmas Extravaganza Concert – 1^st December 2011 – The Birmingham & Black Country Community Foundation are holding a Christmas concert at the Town Hall, Birmingham. 

The merriment and music will be hosted by Mr Noddy Holder as well as performances  from Azaad Dhol Group, choral pieces by a 120 voice choir and popular music and carols led by the Birmingham Philharmonic Concert Band.

Last year 2,700 vulnerable people died in Birmingham & the Black Country from causes directly attributable to the cold and poor living conditions. All funds raised on the night will go to support the Surviving Winter Appeal.

The appeal launched on the 10^th November has already started to get donations from people like Sir Terry Wogan leading the way pledging his winter fuel allowance.

Tickets can be booked directly through the Town Hall Box Office on 0121 780 3333 or online at http://www,thsh.co.uk/view/christmas-extravaganza-convert.

If you would like more information on the Christmas concert or the Surviving Winter Appeal please go to www.bbccf.org.uk

Get into Railways

Do you know any young people aged 18 -25?

Are they unemployed?

Are they interested in gaining skills to work on the railways?

Would they like the opportunity to gain the Personal Track Safety qualification?

 The Get into Railways course is a FREE, short course that aims to help young people aged 18 – 25 to increase their job prospects, build their confidence and gain new skills including, practical and mechanical work, team work skills, awareness of safe working practices on the railways, and two Network Rail qualifications; the Personal Track Safety (PTS) and Track induction training.

 The course will start on Monday 28th November 2011 and finish Friday 9th December 2011 (09.00am – 4.30pm each day) in Birmingham. The course is two weeks long; there are only 12 places available.

 Selection Process

The young people that are interested in the course will be invited to an Information day on Wednesday 23rd November 2011 where we will assess their suitability and eligibility for the course. This day will consist of a tour and information on rail work, the young people will also be expected to take part in a number of team building activities and an interview.

Please note that young people coming onto the programme will need to be committed and work ready.

The young people must take a medical test, and will be screened for drugs and alcohol before joining the programme, which they must be clear from. Failure to pass this test, the young people will be unable to participate.

 Working in the Rail Construction Sector

Minimum requirement to work near a track is to have completed a PTS course and have passed the test. To work on a track the minimum requirement is PTS and the Track Induction. Those who wish to enter employment in this sector should consider the hours and demand required, this is likely to involve weekends and unsocial hours.

If you know any young people that will be interested in the course please contact Helen Marshall on 0121 772 9241 or 07766417 341, or email Helen.marshall@princes-trust.org.uk

If you feel your business could benefit from an additional pair of hands, with extreme cost savings, then this will interest you.

Key Training is a National training provider that gives local employer’s access to Government funding through the highly respected Apprenticeship Scheme. During the training to achieve the Apprenticeship (averaging 9 months) the employer only has to pay the learner to a minimum £100 per week (many employers pay more when they have experienced the value these young learners bring to their organisation).

 Key Training will place c.1000 unemployed 16-18 year olds in a permanent job with an Apprenticeship in 2010/11 across their employer database nationally. With training centres in Newcastle, Peterlee, Leeds, Birmingham, Wellingborough, Ipswich, London, Basingstoke and Swindon, they have good coverage to source young apprentices.

The recruitment process is guaranteed free, no Introduction fee, with an average of 3 applicants per vacancy proposed for interview. The training to achieve their Apprenticeship is fully Government funded with the employer only contributing, a one-off, £150 for start/registration admin for each learner.

The benefits, in addition to helping unemployed youngsters into work, are a cost effective way to recruit an extra pair of hands as the recruitment industry comes out of recession and many learners continue as a permanent member of the team after completing their Apprenticeship in either an administrative role or as an ideal stepping stone to become a resourcer.

 Additionally, Key Training  provide government funded Apprenticeships for employed adults (Management, Business Admin, Customer Service) which can be either for your own staff or, as added value to your service, for those you introduce to your own clients.

For more information please visit www.keytraining.co.uk.

It appears to be one of those occasions that people love or love to hate.  There seems to be a common misconception that we have inherited the custom of dressing up and trick or treating to celebrate Halloween, from the USA.  However, the origins date back much further than the mid-nineteenth century when celebrating Halloween really started to take hold in the US.  This may partly have been attributed to the influx of immigrants, especially from Ireland who introduced the practice of dressing up in costumes and going from house to house to ask for food or money.  By the 1920s it had become a recognised holiday in the US with parades and parties.

 Historically there have been many ancient traditions and customs which took placed around the 31^st October and 5^th November, a few of which are mentioned below, but whatever you believe it has now become a multi million pound business, certainly in the US and the UK.   Last year BBC News Magazine (29/10/10) reported that according to Planet Retail the UK spent around £280 million on goods associated with Halloween a 23 fold increase from the £12 million spent in 2001.  The US spend was expected to reach £3.7 billion.  The event is now bringing in so much revenue that it has become the third biggest money-spinning event in the UK calendar after Christmas and Easter.  What does seem to be of questionable taste however is the conflicting display of Christian and pagan goods that are available in juxtaposition on the shelves.   You can now wander down the isles of many supermarkets and budget stores and buy devil and witches costumes on one side of the isle and stock up on Christmas cards and angels on the other.  Not forgetting the odd box of fireworks.

 Halloween and Bonfire Night may have had a common origin dating back to pagan times when the evil spirits of darkness had to be driven away with noise and fire. In England the day of fires became 5^th November, known commonly as Bonfire Night, the anniversary of the Gunpowder plot of 1605.  In many places in England the 4^th November was also celebrated as “Mischief Night” when boys played jokes on their neighbours.

A ninth century European custom held at this time of year, called ‘souling’ can also be linked to the activities of Halloween.  This was a Christian festival where people would go from house to house begging for soul cakes, in return for which they promised to pray for the giver’s deceased relatives.

Around 2,000 years ago the festival called ‘Samhain (pronounced Sow-in) was introduced into Britian by the Romans, it combined their festivals for remembering the dead and honouring the goddess, Pomona who was the goddess of the trees and fruits.  Apple games may have become associated with Halloween because of this.

For the Celts, who lived in Ireland, Britain and France, the 31^st October was the eve of their New Year.  This marked the end of the summer and the beginning of winter the “dark season” which brought long hours of darkness for the spirits to manifest themselves and was a time often associated with death.  On this night it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.  It was a special time for the Druids and to mark the occasion the Druids built huge sacred bonfires where crops and animal were burnt in sacrifice.  The Celtic priests wore costumes, consisting of animal heads and skins.  . 

 Going even further back in time to circa 835 AD the Roman Catholic Church also made 1^st November a church holiday to honour all the saints.  In medieval times it was also the eve of All Souls Day or All Saints Day, and in it became customary to pray for the dead on this date.   It is believed that the name ‘Halloween’ derives from ‘All Hallow’s Eve’; ‘Hallow’ being an ancient English word for ‘saint’.

 The list of associated festivals and customs is long and varied but whatever you believe it does seem to be a mystical time of year.

 References: www.history.com, www.projectbritain.com, www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine

According to research the majority of employers will continue to use agency staff despite the introduction of the Agency Workers Regulations introduced this month.

Research has found that 90% of employers have said they are likely to continue using such labour and only 13% said they would reduce the number of temporary workers as a result of the new legislation.

These results have revealed how robust the market is and that the demand for agency workers remains strong. It’s clear that in difficult economic circumstances there is a place for agency workers particularly for project based work.

A group of high street solicitors has secured up to £80m in private equity backing.

QualitySolicitors is aiming to have 1,200 branches across Britain by the end of next year after clinching a deal with Palamon Capital Partners under new ownership rules that came into force this month. The alliance of law firms was formed in May last year and already has 220 branches, in addition to 160 concessions in W H Smith outlets.

Craig Holt, QualitySolicitors founder and chief executive said that the new funding would allow the group to accelerate it’s expansions plans and build the first nationwide, branded provider of legal services for consumers and small businesses.

QualitySolicitors is aiming to seize up to 40 per cent of Britain’s highly fragmented £14 billion consumer legal market. Industry observers believe that the market will follow a similar path to that of the opticians industry, which consolidated rapidly after ownership regulations were eased in the 1980s and came to be dominated by a handful of national brands, including Specsavers and Vision Express.