BHA deputy chief executive Martin Couchman has put together a timeline for members highlighting important lobbying developments occurring in 2009.

For any further information please call the BHA office on: 020 7404 7744. January: consultation closed on alcohol glass sizes in England and Wales, including proposal to ban 250 ml and compel availability of 125 ml as the 'normative' measure for wine.

European Commission consults on possible EU-wide measures to protect workers from passive smoking. Could affect 'designated bedrooms.' February: possible first votes by MEPs in committee on proposed food labelling regulation, requiring nutrition and allergens information to be available in restaurants.

UK consultation closes on EU proposal for a Consumer Rights Directive. Existing 'distance selling' exemptions for accommodation, catering, leisure and transport would remain- but EU consumer bodies want a right to withdraw and additional rights to information on accommodation bookings. April: minimum statutory holiday entitlement rises on the 1st from 4.8 weeks (24 days for a 5 day a week employee) to 5.6 weeks (= 28 days), at an extra cost to hospitality businesses of c.£80 to 120 million a year.

Uniform Business Rates rise by around 5 per cent on the 1st: from 46.2 to 48.5 pence in the Pound in England and Scotland; in Wales, the increase is from 46.6 to 48.9 pence- and there's just one year to go before revaluation takes effect. From the 6th, employers underpaying the National Minimum Wage face penalties of up to £5000, but the most serious cases could end up in the criminal courts.

Also from the 6th, the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act will give the Local Better Regulation Office powers to press for consistency in local authority enforcement- but not in relation to alcohol licensing or fire safety. The mandatory 'three step' processes for disciplinary, dismissal and grievance procedures are replaced by Employment Tribunal assessments of whether failure to follow a new ACAS code was reasonable.

May: we expect to learn the October 2009 increases in the National Minimum Wage: the prediction is for lower increases than 2008's 3.7 per cent. The latest date for the European Parliament and EU governments to agree on whether the Working Time Directive 48 hour opt out should remain (but with more restrictions) or be abolished. Failure to agree means 'no change.'

July: probable Royal Assent for the Policing and Crime Bill, including Ministerial powers to specify standard, mandatory alcohol licensing conditions in England and Wales. Probable Royal Assent for the Business Rates Supplements Bill, adding up to 2p in the Pound (where rateable value exceeds £50,000) to pay for economic development projects in England and Wales.

The registration process starts for businesses subject to the Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme (annual energy spend of c. £500,000 plus). September: the 1st is D-Day for full implementation of the Licensing (Scotland) Act.

A likely date for submitting evidence to the Low Pay Commission for its March 2010 report, recommending the minimum wage from October 2010. October: probable introduction of regulations preventing service charge being used to meet the minimum wage and of voluntary guidelines on providing information to customers of how tips are distributed.

December: at midnight on 31st, VAT goes back to 17.5 per cent (or higher?).