New working time regulations due to come into force this autumn could lead to the district's businesses paying out millions of pounds in extra wages and costs, employment specialists have warned.

The majority of businesses will have to adapt their administrative and working procedures to cope with the new regulations - which have been laid down by Brussels.

Employment law specialists at a Bradford firm of solicitors say the Health and Safety Executive-enforced regulations will have a serious impact on smaller businesses.

And representatives from Bradford Retail Action Group and the city's Chamber of Commerce say some may even be forced to close.

David Bradley, national head of Dibb Lupton Alsop's human resources group, said: "The 48-hour week and eight-hour night shift provisions have caught the headlines, but the regulations are more far-reaching.

"Formal provisions for rest breaks, paid annual leave and health assessments for certain workers will affect the operation of businesses."

The regulations, which come into force on October 1, have been drawn up to protect the health and well-being of full-time, part-time and casual workers. They include formal record-keeping requirements and an obligation to offer paid holidays.

Mr Bradley said: "Larger firms may be able cope with the extra administration, more holidays and extra breaks in the working day, but it will make life harder for smaller firms operating on tight budgets."

Jeff Frankel, chairman of Bradford Retail Action Group said: "It's just more European bureaucracy. The larger businesses will be able to absorb these extra costs but they are still not happy. As for smaller firms, they haven't had a say either and will have to grin and bear it.''

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