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Government 'needs to do more' to inform SMEs of law changes

Feb 07 2008

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The government needs to do more to ensure SMEs are aware of changes to the law which affect their rights and responsibilities, claims a business expert.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) called for the government to make 'a special effort' to publicise legal changes to SMEs, ahead of the unveiling of new measures to tackle illegal migrant working.

Simon Briault, spokesperson for the FSB, says difficulties can arise from there being too many potential sources of information.

He says: 'Most people have no idea where to go to find this information and don't have all day to trawl through hundreds of websites to find out what their obligations are.'

Briault adds that the government needs to make changes so SMEs do not get caught out because they are unaware of a piece of legislation.

The new law, included in the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, means that it will be a criminal offence for employers to knowingly employ illegal migrant workers.

Anyone caught breaking the law could face a maximum two year prison sentence and or an unlimited fine.

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