August 13, 2010
The government has announced that it is reviewing the recently introduced right to request time for training regulations which came into force this April. Workers in businesses with more than 250 employees were given the right to request time off for work-related training from 6th April 2010. For small and medium-sized businesses the Regulations will come into effect from April 2011. But the government’s Skills Minister, John Hayes, has announced a short consultation on the new law as part of a wider bid to reduce burdens on businesses, following hints by ministers that the coalition is also looking to amend Labour government plans to extend paternity leave. "Before we make any decisions about the future of the right to request time to train, it is important that we gauge views of the Regulations and whether they are improving training opportunities for employees,” said Mr Hayes. "We believe it is important that all regulations are properly scrutinised and we are therefore interested in hearing views on the future of this right and its role in promoting training in the workplace, which I see as vital to our economic success. According to officials, a consultation on right to train will be "actively promoted" to interested organisations to ensure that a good response is obtained and the right changes are made. The 12 week consultation will finish in early September with announcements expected before the close of the year.