Future legislation could prove beneficial to HR, according to payroll expert.

Speaking at the Softworld HR and Payroll Conference in London, Karen Thompson associate director of policy and research at the Institute of Payroll Professionals, said: "The Labour Party will really want to sell themselves as we get closer to a general election."

In the masterclass session, Legislation Now and for the Future, Thompson said proposals were in the pipeline to make employees' requests for training similar to those for flexible working. In other words, staff could have a right to request training in a letter to their employer.

Thompson also suggested that the forthcoming pre-Budget report, which the chancellor,
Alistair Darling, has yet to announce, could have implications for company cars and fleet.

She said: "I can't be sure what will happen in the future but the Government has already had a look at fuel and cars so I think it will consider fleet schemes soon."