28 July 2003
Mobile phone ban for drivers
Driving while using a hand-held mobile phone will be a specific offence from 1 December 2003. Offenders will be subject to a £30 fine, which can be increased to a maximum fine of £1,000 if it goes to court. Legislation is planned to make it an endorseable offence. Drivers will then get three points on their licence each time they are caught holding a phone. Research shows that if people drive and use a mobile phone they are four times more likely to have an accident. Hands-free calls are also distracting and drivers should be aware that they still risk prosecution for failing to have proper control of their vehicle, for careless or even reckless driving if use of a phone affects their driving in this way. Road safety minister David Jamieson said: “Driving whilst using a mobile phone is dangerous. We are all too familiar with the sight of people driving along while holding and talking on their mobile phones. Any driver will be distracted by a phone call or text message. It affects the ability to concentrate and anticipate the road ahead, putting the driver and other road users at risk. “Our decision to introduce this new offence will make the roads safer for us all. Missing a call won’t kill you - an accident quite possibly could.” In a recent consultation exercise 88 per cent of respondents were broadly in favour of the introduction of a new offence.
Pay Review Data, Wage Benchmarking and Cost of Living – FEB 2024 UPDATE
14 February 2024
We have collated data from multiple sources that should be useful for BPIF members that are approaching internal pay reviews, and/or are having a closer look at their pay and benefits structure. The datafile, first published in February 2023, has been updated with the latest available data - and additional content on factors exerting pressure on pay settlements in 2024.
Slight recovery of output and orders falls short of expectations in Q4 - confidence concerns mount in 2024
22 February 2024
Performance in the UK's printing and printed packaging industry did improve in Q4, as far as output and orders are concerned. However, it didn't come close to what would historically be considered the seasonal norm, nor quite match the subdued expectations for Q4.
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