A new disclosure law that critics say would force companies to provide commercially sensitive information about business projects and employees is unlikely to affect recruitment agencies, according to the recruitment industry trade body.

The wording in the measure, which is part of a bill expected to become law within a month, calls on quoted companies to include in annual business reviews “information about persons with whom the company has contractual or other arrangements which are essential to the business of the company”.  The CBI and the Institute of Directors have threatened to take their complaints over the requirement to the highest levels of government.

Anne Fairweather, REC external relations manager, told Recruiter that the REC is staying in touch with the CBI and the Department and Trade of Industry about the controversial measure. However, she said that the REC “doubts” whether agencies will be required to submit commercially sensitive material. “The wording was perhaps a little thoughtless,” Fairweather says.