Chapter 23 The impact of government and the EU Flashcards
(11 cards)
Chapter 23
How many members of the Eurpoena Union (EU) are there?
Edexcel 2BS01 Business Studies GCSE Unit 3.5
Set up in 1957, there are currently 27 (as at 2009) countries in the EU
Chapter 23
The EU now makes some of the laws for the UK. True or False?
Edexcel 2BS01 Business Studies GCSE Unit 3.5
True, Being part of the EU means that some decisions that were made at national level (UK) are now made at EU level, with safety or tariffs as examples
Chapter 23
What is the main aim of the EU?
Edexcel 2BS01 Business Studies GCSE Unit 3.5
The EU has helped to create a single market with goods traded freely across national borders or member countries.
Reducing barriers helps to create a more competitive market.
Many members of the EU have a common currency, the euro, but not all do.
Chapter 23
What are Health and Safety regulations?
Edexcel 2BS01 Business Studies GCSE Unit 3.5
All countries in the EU have them in place and they are designed to prevent workers from having accidents or falling ill due to their work. When related to the working environment, it covers such things as how long employees have to work without taking a break, protective equipment and the level of heating in the workplace
Chapter 23
What is Maternity leave?
Edexcel 2BS01 Business Studies GCSE Unit 3.5
Maternity rights are those legal rights a female has before, during and after pregnancy.
Currently all expectant mums can take 14 weeks off from work to have a baby. This is paid. This is set by the EU.
Some European countries have far more comprehensive and generous maternity rights than others.
In the UK employers, by law, must keep a female’s job open to her if she chooses to come back after maternity leave. This can prove disruptive to many firms.
Chapter 23
What is the Minimum wage?
Edexcel 2BS01 Business Studies GCSE Unit 3.5
The lowest payment per hour, day or week that can be paid to a worker for their work. Most countries in the EU have one, but the level in not set by the EU, but by each government as it tends to reflect the average wage levels in each country, in the UK the minimum wage is currently (as at April 2013):
Year 21 &over 18 to 20 Under 18 Apprentice*
2013 £6.31 £5.03 £3.75 £2.68
2012 £6.19 £4.98 £3.68 £2.65
2011 £6.08 £4.98 £3.68 £2.60
2010 £5.93 £4.92 £3.64 £2.50
*This rate is for apprentices under 19 or those in their first year. If you’re 19 or over and past your first year you get the rate that applies to your age.
The age groups were different before 2010. There were no National Minimum Wage rates for apprentices.
Current living wage (the wages people need to NOT be in poverty) is £7.65 per hour www.livingwage.org.uk 28/02/14
Chapter 23
What is Paternity leave?
Edexcel 2BS01 Business Studies GCSE Unit 3.5
Paternity rights are those available for new fathers.
The EU does not yet have their own policy, but the UK does allow up to two weeks leave (as at July 2010).
Some European countries have far more comprehensive and generous paternity rights than others.
Chapter 23
What is Regulation?
Edexcel 2BS01 Business Studies GCSE Unit 3.5
These are designed to protect different stakeholder groups in a business. They are set by the government. An example is car insurance. This protects everyone involved in a crash to make sure those not responsible are compensated
Chapter 23
What is Taxation?
Edexcel 2BS01 Business Studies GCSE Unit 3.5
This is the money that businesses and individuals have to give the government. This is still set by individual countries
Tax rates are still set by national (UK) governments.
There are a whole host of different taxes in the UK, such as: Income Tax; Corporation Tax; Value Added Tax; National Insurance Contribution; and Excise Duty.
Tax levels are often a determining factor of location for businesses operations.
Chapter 23
Which of the following best describes the term Minimum Wage?
Select one answer.
□ A A fixed payment per year but paid monthly
□ B A payment made to employees for working extra hours
□ C The lowest amount a business can legally pay its employees
□ D A payment to an employee for reaching a sales target
Edexcel 2BS01 Business Studies GCSE Unit 3.5
C
Chapter 23
What are the effects that the provision of maternity rights might have on a business?
Edexcel 2BS01 Business Studies GCSE Unit 3.5
- Better motivation amongst female staff
- Need to employ temporary workers
- Increased costs
