Downing Street has ordered that the legislation, passed by the previous Labour Government, be reviewed. In addition, it has been confirmed that there will now be a period of at least 3 months following publication of the guidance required by the Act, originally due at the end of January, before it is brought into force. That means it will now not happen until at least May 2011 at the earliest.

Fears are that businesses will be harmed if proper clarity and guidance is not given and given the substantial penalties (a maximum of 10 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine) for committing an offence under the Act this could be disastrous for many small and medium size businesses.