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News
Home /News/Equestrian employers named and shamed

Equestrian employers named and shamed

16th February 2017
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Equestrian employers are among a record 360 firms named by the government for shortchanging staff by almost £1m.

But that may represent just the tip of the iceberg: The Office for National Statistics has calculated that 362,000 jobs did not pay the NMW in April 2016.

The business minister Margot James said that by naming and shaming the government was “sending a clear message to employers that minimum wage abuses will not go unpunished. Every worker in the UK is entitled to at least the national minimum or living wage and this government will ensure they get it,” James said.

The BGA strongly advises that employers who are aware that they are paying below the NMW levels must make urgent adjustments. In addition if you are a groom and you have been told by your one boss that you are 'self employed', but in fact you are employed, be aware as this is a tax evasion too. 
 
"It is only a matter of time before the HMRC are knocking on your door. If you are paying below the NMW they will find you out, they will go through all your staffs working hours, accomodation charges and their tax and NI contributions.... and you will be procecuted. Just last week we were made aware of an eventer who was fined £14,000 - their eyes are on the equestrian industry. It is not a choice to pay NMW, it is the law.
 
The BGA is here to help and support employers make sustainable changes and understand the implications of the law. We are committed to working with both grooms and employers to improve and modernise working conditions. There is lots of advice in the Employers Zone , and over the coming weeks we will be launching even further developments to help equestrian employers, " says Chief Executive Lucy Katan. 
 
The three equestrian businesses on the list are:  

Mrs Eileen Beresford trading as E M Beresford Livery, Sandbach CW11  owed £7,978.99 to 1 worker
Mrs Paula Leverton trading as Fourwinds Equestrian Centre, Spalding PE11 owed £876.42 to 1 worker
Miss Leanne Ryan trading as Burrows Lane Farm Equestrian Centre, Prescot L34 owed £313.47 to 1 worker

 



NEWS ARCHIVE

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What the personal accident policy covers you for:

  • Whilst at work
  • All stable duties – mucking out, grooming, washing off, turning out
  • Clipping
  • Riding – including hacking and jumping
  • Hunting
  • Lunging
  • Breaking in
  • Holding horse for a vet and other procedures
  • Travelling horses both in the UK and abroad
  • Competing in line with your job including: jumping, dressage, eventing
  • Injuries that may happen to you whilst you are teaching - but you must also be grooming as part of your duties and not be a sole instructor

What the personal accident policy doesn’t cover you for:

  • Riding in a race, point to point or team chase
  • Stunt Riding
  • Accidents occurring whilst travelling to and from work
  • Riding and competing your own horse (but you can upgrade when applying for membership to include this)
  • Public Liability – this is a separate insurance policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance
  • Care Custody and Control – this is a separate policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance

If you require additional cover then please contact KBIS directly.

   GROOM  RIDER  EMPLOYER

When you are working for other people you do most of the following; muck out, turn out/catch in, tack up, groom horses, exercise Horses (including hacking, jumping and schooling), in the care of your employer/client.

 
YES

 
NO

 
NO
Predominantly ride horses for other people including schooling, exercising and competing.   
NO		  
YES
YES
 Provide grooming services for someone else either full time or on a freelance basis i.e. an employer or a client.   
YES
NO
NO
Employ staff – have an employers liability policy in your name NO NO YES
Buy and sell horses NO YES YES