ICO’s data protection advice, right to work checks, and how being 2025 UK City of Culture could help to regenerate Bradford
Today we point budding entrepreneurs in the ICO’s direction where they are offering advice and guidance on data protection, we remind you of the importance of right to work checks and celebrate Bradford being 2025’s UK City of Culture.
ICO highlights data privacy to new startups
January can often be the time of year when entrepreneurs start to make plans for a new business. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published some guidance to help entrepreneurs think about data protection when setting up their business, so they get it right from the start.
The ICO has an e-learning site that provides videos and advice for small organisations. This can be found here and is well worth a look.
The ICO also provides a couple of helpful online tools that can take a lot of the guesswork out of what you need to do.
Privacy notice
The ICO highlights that every organisation that holds people’s information needs to explain why it holds it and what it does with it. This is usually provided through a privacy notice, which can be placed on the business’ website or included in other communications.
Helpfully, the ICO have a privacy notice generator that can help you create bespoke privacy notices for your organisation. It takes 10 to 15 minutes and can help you create privacy notices for your customer and supplier information and for your staff/volunteers.
Direct marketing advice generator
If you advertise or communicate marketing messages to particular people or organisations, you are involved in direct marketing. If so, you will need to comply with the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations (PECR) and the UK GDPR.
The ICO’s direct marketing advice generator can provide you with reliable compliance advice that is tailored to your direct marketing activities. This makes it easier to know what you need to do to stay compliant with the law and stick to contacting people who are happy to hear from you.
The idea of tackling data protection can seem overwhelming when starting a new business. However, these new tools can be very helpful in reducing this stress.
The importance of right to work checks continues to be emphasised
Recent immigration enforcement activity has highlighted the need for employers to ensure their workers have the right to work in the UK. With thousands of enforcement visits, arrests, and hefty fines being issued, businesses that neglect their responsibilities risk serious consequences.
Crackdown on illegal working
Immigration Enforcement teams have been targeting sectors prone to illegal employments, such as car washes, nail bars, supermarkets, and constructions sites.
Between July and November last year, enforcement teams conducted thousands of visits across the UK. These led to 770 arrests in London alone, with nearly 1,000 premises inspected.
Employers found guilty of hiring workers without the right to work face fines of up to £60,000 per worker, along with reputational damage and potential criminal charges.
How to stay compliant
Employers are required to carry out right to work checks before employing someone.
You need to:
- Request sight of original documents: Review the worker’s passport, visa, or other approved documents that prove their right to work in the UK.
- Verify authenticity: Confirm that the documents are genuine, belong to the individual, and haven’t expired.
- Keep records: Retain copies of the documents, including the date you verified them, for at least two years after employment ends.
- Use the Home Office’s online service: The Home Office offers an online right to work checking service for non-UK nationals. This can provide you with confirmation of a worker’s status.
For further guidance on conducting right to work checks, see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/right-to-work-checks-employers-guide/employers-guide-to-right-to-work-checks-23-september-2024-accessible-version
Additional financial support for Bradford’s cultural year
The government has announced that it will provide an additional £5 million of support to Bradford, which is the 2025 UK City of Culture.
The funds, which bring total support provided to £15 million, will be used to help in delivering a programme of events and support a legacy of cultural regeneration. It is expected that 6,500 jobs will be created in the area as a result of Bradford being UK City of Culture.
Around 1,000 events are being organised for 2025. These are expected to attract an additional 3.3 million visitors to the area, and it is anticipated that this will bring around £140 million into the local economy as a result.
It is also hoped that the increased exposure will bring about additional growth for the Bradford area.
To see more information about the programme, see: https://bradford2025.co.uk/