Age discrimination rules costly for small businesses

Government officials have admitted that the regulations against age discrimination, which come into force on October 1, 2006, will be more costly for small businesses to meet.

In its Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment (PRIA) on the new rules, which will enforce an EU Directive, DTI officials admitted: 'They [small firms] will bear disproportionate implementation costs, which are expected to be relatively high, because of the complex nature of the subject.'

The PRIA estimates that the cost to small businesses nationwide will be £166 million, and estimates each small firm will have to pay

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