Is is or is it not compulsory for UK business to have a contingency plan?

Answer 1

Laird,

While it is not compulsory for all businesses to have a Business Continuity Plan I would suggest as a previous poster stated that it is lunacy to not have one.

If your business is regulated by the FSA, Listex or the MOD you must have a Business Continuity Plan (inclusive of Disaster Recovery Planning) based on ISO 27002 or BS 25999 (previously PAS56).

I would suggest looking at the British Continuity Institute for further advise.

Remember that a BCP does not surround the nature of specific disasters (though it can it's better left as a flexible document) but rather encompasses all of the Business Processes that are required to continue running your business in the event of some sort of incident or disaster whether man-made or otherwise.

Also, if you are considering setting up a BCP please also make certain that you cover how to set up a Command Crisis Center (essentially a small 2nd site where the leadership and pr teams can work). I believe there is an excellent article on google regarding this.

Answer 2

It is not compulsory. Any sensible business would have a contingency plan for all aspects of their work. Your question implies an overall plan. This is not possible. There are too many variables. But, in terms of running the business successfully, then probably there would be several plans dependent on suggested circumstances.

Answer 3

A contingency plan? No it is not.

However, for insurance purposes it is probably necessary for them to have a Business Continuity Plan (BCP). this is not law though I don't think. I think it is just for the insurers.

Hope this helps a bit.

Answer 4

Contingency for what ?

Answer 5

It's not compulsory, but lunacy not to.