Accountancy is not dull, but accountants are, according to psychological research undertaken in the US and reported in Accountancy Age in summer 2000. The report concludes that accountancy does not make people dull, but those who are attracted to the profession are by nature dull people anyway. [2000]Read More

Two commemorative coins have been issued this summer. A £5 crown has been issued to mark the 100th birthday of the Queen Mother, and a 50p coin has been issued to mark 150 years of public libraries. [2000]Read More

Norwich and Peterborough Building Society launched a carbon neutral mortgage in 2000. For every house purchased with one of its mortgages, it will plant 40 trees. [2000]Read More

An employment tribunal must consider whether a dismissal is within the range of reasonable options open to an employer, not whether it is the appropriate option. This was a decision made by Judge Peter Clark in 2000 in an attempt to resolve a problem which has recently hindered the Employment Appeal Tribunal. This body, which...Read More

The Code of Practice on Access to Workers during ballots on recognition or derecognition of trade unions takes effect from 6 June 2000. The Code was issued under section 204(2) of Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) ACt 1992. The Employment Code of Practice (Access to Workers during Recognition and Derecognition Ballots) Order SI 2000...Read More

From 1 September 2000, suppliers of new cars are bound by stricter competition rules which should have the effect of reducing car prices for consumers. The main provision is that it becomes unlawful for a supplier of new cars to discriminate between fleet customers and dealers on the discounts offered for new cars. A new...Read More

New rules apply to travel agents and tour operators who are connected. The new rules apply from 9 October 2000. The broad effect of the new rules is that where a travel agent provides at least 5% of a tour operator’s business, or at least 5% of a travel agent’s business is with one tour...Read More

Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 received Royal Assent on 28 July 2000. The Act is a large compendium of miscellaneous provisions relating to child support, different types of pension, and bits of social security law. Most of the national insurance changes reflect changes already announced for tax purposes. One of the more...Read More

There have been further concerns that many dot.com companies are likely to be liquidated because they have not started to earn profits before burning their flotation capital. Adabra, the a community shopping website, follows boo.com in calling in the liquidators. Adabra has now been sold to a French company for £220,000. Cubic Egg, the e-department...Read More

The silly season of August 2000 has seen a silly climate of snow in Yorkshire and a tornado over the Humber. Fortunately the economic climate has proved more settled and predictable. The Bank of England held interest rates for the seventh consecutive month despite fears that they might be raised. Increases in manufacturing output and...Read More