Employment regulations and taxes could cost UK businesses a staggering £25.6bn over the next four years, the British Chambers of Commerce warned yesterday.

The BCC is campaigning for a three-year moratorium on new employment laws in order to help economic recovery.

David Frost, BCC director general, said: 'What must not happen after a General Election is that a new government comes to power and decides to add to this already sizable burden on business.'

The Equality Bill, which is due to be brought in this year, will have a one-off cost to businesses of £190m, the BCC said.

Furthermore, the Agency Workers Directive, under which agency workers will get the same rights as permanent staff after 12 weeks, is scheduled for 2011.

The Pensions Reform Bill 2012 will have annual recurring costs to business of £1.5bn and £4.8bn respectively. All bosses will have to pay into a pension for their workers, contributing at least 3% of their salary.

More than half of the £25.6bn cost comes from employer National Insurance contributions, the BCC said.

Another big hit will come from the changes to workplace pensions which are due to be introduced from 2012. All bosses will have to pay into a pension for their workers, contributing at least three per cent of their salary. This will cost around £4.8billion a year.

Mr Frost said: 'The cost of employing people must be reduced if future governments are serious about giving businesses freedom to create jobs and drive economic recovery.'

Others costs will include the Agency Workers Directive, under which agency workers will get the same rights as permanent staff after 12 weeks. The Department for Business said: 'We take costs to business seriously and have sought to timetable the introduction of any new measures to avoid extra costs during the recession.'

The full story available from here : BCC tax hike warning to UK businesses

Yet another example of the 'hidden' cost of rampant socialism and its constant meddling in 'rights' and 'equalities'

This makes me angry.
I am sure there is no need for me to go on about why this is stupid and counter productive.