Consultations
UK-IPO: A public consultation (closes 26 May 2008) on the amendment & consolidation of the Trade Mark Rules 2000 has been launched by the UK Intellectual Property Office.
Press release ~ Consultation on Trade Mark Rules Consolidation ~ Trade marks ~ Trade Mark Rules 2000
DWP: The Government has published draft regulations to increase FAS payments to 90% from people's normal retirement age. In order to make enhanced payments as quickly as possible, the written consultation period on the draft regulations is to be limited to two weeks (closes 20 March), rather than the full 12 week period that might be appropriate in other circumstances. There is cross-party and stakeholder support for this move.
Subject to the Parliamentary timetable, the Government aims to have the Regulations approved in May before the Whitsun recess. Some amendments the Pensions Bill 2007 will be required and two further packages of regulations later this year. In addition, changes have been made to the FAS website to provide more detail for members on the status of their winding up pension scheme.
Press release ~ Draft Financial Assistance Scheme (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2008 ~ Revision of the annuity factors employed by the Financial Assistance Scheme ~ Scheme members can see more detail on the status of their schemes here ~ Pensions Bill 2007
FSA: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has published a consultation paper on amendments to the sponsor regime for Listed companies. The consultation paper (closes on 6 June 2008) sets out proposed changes to the sponsor regime (the rules governing sponsors are set out in LR8 of the Listing Rules – See ‘Business and other Briefings’ section for more details.
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