A GOVERNMENT proposal to introduce all new employment regulations on the same day each year has been backed by ACCA, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

ACCA believes that the 'one date' idea will reduce the impact of regulations on businesses.

Ilyas Patel, ACCA spokesman for the North-west, said: "Eleven new employment regulations were introduced between 1997 and 1999, which equals the total number introduced during the previous 20 years.

"Many business owners currently feel that employment legislation is 'sprung upon them', with little lead-in time.

"An annual commencement date would encourage businesses to plan ahead and to spread the costs of implementing regulations."