Category: DBT

Workplace protections for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children

The Government has launched a consultation on new workplace protections for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children, as part of the ongoing work to implement the Employment Rights Act.  The consultation, launched by the Minister for Employment Rights Kate Dearden, sets out several proposals that could significantly change the rights of those with caring responsibilities in the … Continue reading Workplace protections for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children →

Zero hours! Ending one sided flexibility

The government have launched (Tuesday 2nd June 2026) the consultation on Ending one- sided flexibility: reforms of zero hours and similar contracts. The consultation - Zero Hours contracts - give your view The consultation explores key aspects related to new rights for eligible workers to: Guaranteed hours Reasonable notice of shifts Payment for shifts cancelled, moved, … Continue reading Zero hours! Ending one sided flexibility →

Statutory Payments uprating error

The HMRC Software Developers Support Team (SDST) have notified software developers on a difference in this year Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uprating order to prior practice and original expectations. Under a notice issued to developers ‘Payroll 2026-27: Correction to uprating dates for certain Statutory Parental Pay entitlements’, the SDST have provided the following: … Continue reading Statutory Payments uprating error →

Minimum wage shock – penalties for some big names

389 employers … named for failing to pay workers the minimum wage to tens of thousands of workers. Employers told to repay over £7.3 million in wages owed to workers to aid the cost of living for some of the lowest earners.  389 named employers, including well-known brands, faced consequences for failing to pay the minimum wage through £12.6 million in penalties.  Around 60,000 workers found to have been underpaid as employers who break the rules are … Continue reading Minimum wage shock – penalties for some big names →

Unpaid Parental Leave – April 2026 a day one right

From 6th April 2026, employees will be eligible for unpaid parental leave from their first day of employment. Unpaid parental leave Eligible employees can take unpaid parental leave to look after their child’s welfare, for example to: spend more time with their children look at new schools settle children into new childcare arrangements spend more … Continue reading Unpaid Parental Leave – April 2026 a day one right →

Paternity Leave and Unpaid Paternity Leave from April 2026

From 6th April 2026, employees will be eligible to give notice to take Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave from their first day of employment. This change supports working parents and is claimed to help businesses attract and retain talent. What are the changes?: Employees can give notice of Paternity Leave from day one of … Continue reading Paternity Leave and Unpaid Paternity Leave from April 2026 →

Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave

From 6th April 2026, a new right to Bereaved Partner's Paternity Leave will support employees who lose the mother or primary adopter of their child within the first year of their child's life or adoption. This is a day one right, meaning employees are eligible from their first day of employment. Key changes The right to take time off work will apply … Continue reading Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave →

New Employment Rights – February and April 2026

From 18th February 2026, upgraded employment rights will begin to take effect. These changes will be introduced gradually between 2026 and 2027, giving employers time to prepare and ensuring workers have clear information about their new rights. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) have created resources for employees and employers on these changes (click … Continue reading New Employment Rights – February and April 2026 →

Employment Rights Act receives Royal Assent

Over 15 million people across the UK are expected to benefit as New laws bring the world of work into the 21st century Over  15 million people across the UK are to benefit from new worker protections, including those on the lowest pay and in the most insecure jobs.   New rights confirmed including day one paternity leave and parental leave, statutory sick pay, protections for pregnant workers, increased protection from unfair … Continue reading Employment Rights Act receives Royal Assent →

Another 103 employers caught not paying for time worked!

Although employers may have set payment rates at or above the National Minimum Wage for their workers and employees, some even using the higher Living Wage (the voluntary living wage foundation rate), many appear to also get their workers to do extra time for free or count certain work activity as unpaid. All work time … Continue reading Another 103 employers caught not paying for time worked! →

Apprentices – not a reason to underpay!

Of the 491 recently shamed employers for breaching National Minimum Wage (NMW) by the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) audit teams, the largest failures related to apprentices. Of those caught, 190 were for breaches of NMW related to apprentices. There are some important considerations for those who claim to or do employ apprentices: That there … Continue reading Apprentices – not a reason to underpay! →

Where are October 2025 shamed employer minimum pay breaches happening?

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) audit teams from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have caught and fined another 491 employers across the United Kingdom for underpaying their workers for a variety of reasons. Some are well known household brands. Large numbers of employers are struggling to understand their obligations to their workforces to pay them … Continue reading Where are October 2025 shamed employer minimum pay breaches happening? →

Government moves to end discriminatory age bands and unfair pay

The Government’s manifesto commitment to deliver a genuine living wage for working people takes a step closer as it sets out new considerations for the Low Pay Commission when recommending the April 2026 National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage. Discriminatory age bands to be removed as new Low Pay Commission remit delivers progress towards … Continue reading Government moves to end discriminatory age bands and unfair pay →

June 2025 Employer Bulletin

Dear PAYadvice.UK  HMRC have issued the June 2025 edition of the Employer Bulletin which brings the latest HMRC updates and guidance to support employers, payroll professionals and agents. The June edition of Employer Bulletin includes articles on: PAYE Settlement Agreement calculations 2024 to 2025 organised labour fraud — the supply of labour through Employment Intermediaries mandating the … Continue reading June 2025 Employer Bulletin →

Overtime and the National Minimum Wage

A number of employers appear to be confused on the treatment of overtime and National Minimum Wage. Some believing that overtime does not form part of any assessment of National Minimum Wage (NMW). This view is further confused by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) online tool to check your wage. This article and … Continue reading Overtime and the National Minimum Wage →

Holidays and Easter 2025

With the Easter Break coming upon us soon, some workers and employees may be wodnering what their rights are to time off work and to pay. The employment rights part is covered by an PAYadvice.UK article which provides insightful information on the topic of whether workers have a right to bank holiday as paid leave. … Continue reading Holidays and Easter 2025 →

New minimum wage rates for pay periods starting from 1st April 2025

Over 3 million eligible workers are to receive a pay rise of up to £1,400 a year as new National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates take effect during April or May. Pay rise worth an extra £1,400 per year for an eligible full-time worker delivered. New rates put more money back into the … Continue reading New minimum wage rates for pay periods starting from 1st April 2025 →

Minimum pay enforcement results

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) have published the enforcement results of National Minimum Wage (NMW) and the National Living Wage (NLW) during the 2022 to 2023 financial year The significant increases to the NMW and NLW in recent years mean a growing proportion of workers are earning within a narrow range of the NMW/NLW rates. Due to the rising … Continue reading Minimum pay enforcement results →

Make Work Pay first steps

British workers are set for better working conditions as the Government takes its first steps towards its Plan to Make Work Pay. Businesses and workers are to get a bigger voice at the table as Government takes the next steps in its mission to Make Work Pay Deputy Prime Minister and Business Secretary host senior … Continue reading Make Work Pay first steps →

New Holiday Pay 12.07% – not as easy as you think!

Many employers and even payroll professionals have welcomed what some claim is a return of the 12.07% holiday pay method of operation which was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court as not meeting the requirements of the Working Time Regulations (WTR) and the Employment Rights Act (ERA) method of calculating the weekly average earnings for … Continue reading New Holiday Pay 12.07% – not as easy as you think! →

Obsolete and burdensome EU rules to be removed from UK law

Proposed reforms allow businesses additional freedoms while retaining the UK’s world leading workers’ rights Proposals include reducing record keeping requirements around Working Time Regulations and simplifying the calculation of holiday pay and entitlement British businesses could save up to £1 billion a year as the Government confirms plans to remove unnecessary and outdated bureaucracy following … Continue reading Obsolete and burdensome EU rules to be removed from UK law →

Future of jobs for Welsh steel secured

The UK Government and Tata Steel agree on joint investment package to secure a sustainable future for steelmaking in Port Talbot. UK Government agrees proposal with Tata Steel to invest in greener steelmaking at Port Talbot, protecting the future of steel production and skilled jobs in Wales. Transformational investment – including one of the largest … Continue reading Future of jobs for Welsh steel secured →