Nearly half of Internet bank customers are dissatisfied with the service they receivem according to Which? magazine in 2000. Those who sorted out problems by telephone were more satisfied (ie less dissatisfied) than those who used e-mail. Worst offender was Egg which only answers questions by e-mail or on the Internet. The biggest gripe was...Read More

A global chartered accountant qualification is expected by the year 2003 following discussions between bodies in England, Scotland, Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. [2000]Read More

The government has published its action plan to promote work opportunities for older workers. It reaches ten key conclusions: the government developing a vision of the role and value of older people in society; introducing age discrimination legislation if the voluntary code proves ineffective; increasing contact with people on sickness and disability benefits; providing careers...Read More

Pension sharing on divorce will start on 1 December 2000. The provisions only apply for couples who divorce on or after that date. The broad effect is that part of the member’s accrued entitlement in a pension scheme is allocated to the spouse who is thereafter treated as a member of the scheme herself (or...Read More

The cut-off provisions in the new right to parental leave are almost certainly contradictory to European law. Employment Relations Act 1999 introduced the new right of parental leave for children under five, but only if the child was born on or after 15 December 1999, the date when the provisions becomes effective. Children before then...Read More

The Disability Rights Commission was formally launched on 25 April 2000. [2000.4]Read More

Employment in April reached a new record of 27,780,000. This rate of employment is  now 74.3%. Unemployment is at its lowest level since the early 1980s. [2000.4]Read More

In autumn 2000, the government will be introducing £500 loans for part-time students on low incomes. [2000]Read More

The government has published Bankruptcy — A Fresh Start on its proposals to reform bankruptcy law. The broad principle is to distinguish bankrupts between those who fail because of commercial risk and those because of irresponsible behaviour. The former are to be treated more leniently and the latter more harshly. The main changes are: to...Read More

The European extra-judicial network (EEJ-Net) was formed in Lisbon on 5 May as a means of letting consumers settle cross-border disputes in Europe out of court. Under the scheme, each member state establishes a clearing house which provides a central point of information, guiance and practical support. A consumer with a cross-border dispute contacts his...Read More