Articles and information in relation to UK Payroll for business, employers and employees.
With the number of UK job vacancies at a record high, some industries are reporting difficulties in recruiting new staff. A lack of EU applicants is contributing to recruitment challenges, particularly in transport and storage. Hospitality businesses are more than twice as likely as other to be experiencing challenges in filling vacancies compared with normal … Continue reading UK Job Vacancies at record high
A letter from the Director of Adult Social Care Delivery to local authorities, directors of adult social services, care home providers, care home managers and agencies outlines a temporary exemption certification process: Temporary medical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccination of people working or deployed in care homes Those working or volunteering in care homes who have … Continue reading Temporary medical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccination of people working or deployed in care homes
New government service will help businesses to create more apprenticeship opportunities so more people can get the jobs they want. Large businesses will be able to pledge funds to smaller businesses through a new service, to help create and recruit more apprenticeships. A new online service makes it easier for large employers to spend levy … Continue reading New service to help businesses offer apprenticeships
Small Business Minister Paul Scully has written an open letter to businesses about the resources available to help promote positive mental health in the workplace. Dear colleague, COVID-19 has affected all our lives and our livelihoods in profound ways over the last year. The nation has come together to keep ourselves and our loved ones … Continue reading Mental health in the workplace
new comprehensive package to tackle HGV driver shortages50,000 more HGV driving tests available as legislation changed to streamline the processmove will accelerate entry of drivers into UK’s haulage industry, showing our leadership in helping tackle long-standing challenges faced by countries around the world Up to 50,000 more HGV driving tests will be made available each … Continue reading Further action to tackle HGV driver shortage
Consultation launched on making vaccination a condition of deployment for frontline workers in health and care settingsStaff may be required to have coronavirus (COVID-19) and flu vaccines to protect patients from infection, serious illness or death92% of NHS staff have had their first dose and 88% both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and ministers urge … Continue reading Consultation on mandatory vaccination for frontline health and care staff
HMRC is warning university students to be wary of potential scams, especially if they have a part-time job and are new to interacting with the department. University students taking part-time jobs are at increased risk of falling victim to scams, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning. Higher numbers of students going to university this … Continue reading HMRC warns students of scams
From April 2022 the government we will create a new, UK-wide, 1.25 per cent Health and Social Care Levy on earned income, hypothecated in law to health and social care. The new levy will share the cost between individuals and businesses, and everyone is to contribute according to their means, including those above State Pension … Continue reading Health and Social Care levy rates – National Insurance
Dear PAYadvice.UK , I’m writing to you with the latest information about the support schemes available to help your clients, as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs. This includes a reminder of the 14th September 2021 deadline for submitting your clients’ August Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) claims, information to help you and your … Continue reading Submit August claims, prepare for closure of the Job Retention Scheme and the latest on SEISS
The end date for the temporary adjusted checks has now been deferred to 5th April 2022 (inclusive). The Home Office have made the decision to defer the date following the positive feedback received about the ability to conduct checks remotely. They initiated a review of the availability of specialist technology to support a system of … Continue reading Right to work virtual checks acceptability extended
Families may be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare to help pay for breakfast and after school clubs as children go back to school. Eligible families can save money on their childcare and benefit from a government top-up worth up to £2,000 every year, or up to £4,000 a year if a child is disabled. In June … Continue reading Childcare cost help as children head back to school
Holiday entitlements and pay are some of the most misunderstood and abused employment rights law in the UK. Statistics show that 1.8 million workers and employees are denied their holiday pay rights amounting to underpayments of £1.8 billion. A number of myths abound in UK employment practice, especially around the concept of Holiday Accrual, Holiday … Continue reading Holiday accrual, how does it work?
The Office for National Statistics report shows that the shift towards working from home seen during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may have helped enable older workers to remain in the labour market for longer. The report shows: Early exit of older workers from the UK labour market, between the age of 50 years and prior … Continue reading Home Working impact on older workers
By law, workers must be paid at least the minimum wage for their age - the following are 10 outrageous excuses employers have used to try and flout the rules. While the majority of employers pay their employees at least the National Minimum Wage, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has released some of the absurd … Continue reading Absurd excuses for not paying National Minimum Wage published
As the economy reopens with the lifting of Covid restrictions, getting the right kind of insurance is acting as a barrier for some events organisers impacting jobs. So the government has partnered with Lloyd’s to deliver the Live Events Reinsurance Scheme as part of the Plan for Jobs. The scheme will see the government act … Continue reading Events industry boost with Government-backed insurance scheme
EEA citizens and their family members who apply late to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) will have their rights protected as the Home Office continues to support those wanting to stay in the UK. More than 6 million applications were made to EUSS before the 30th June 2021 deadline for those resident in the UK … Continue reading Temporary protection for more applicants to the Settlement Scheme
Sectors including the creative, agriculture and construction industries can now bid for a share of a £7 million fund to support the creation of new flexible apprenticeships, unlocking more opportunities for people to develop the skills they need to get good jobs. Apprenticeships are at least 12 months long, so some sectors with flexible employment … Continue reading New flexible approach to apprenticeships
Government names and shames 191 employers who have underpaid workers, including major household namesnamed firms have been fined for owing £2.1 million to over 34,000 workersBusiness Minister Paul Scully: “Employers that short-change workers won’t get off lightly” Thursday 5th August 2021 - 191 businesses are being named for breaking national minimum wage law. Following investigations … Continue reading Minimum wage law breaker Employers ‘named and shamed’
HM Revenue & Customs Software Developers Support Team (SDST) has issued briefing notes for developers in relation to changes for National Insurance Contributions Holiday for Employers of Veterans abbreviated as NHEV. The relief applies from April 2021, however HMRC were unable to ready their systems in time for real time operations and employers will be … Continue reading NICs Holiday for Employers of Veterans (NHEV)
Union body warns use of umbrella companies could spiral post-pandemic New TUC research estimates that half of agency workers work for umbrella companies The TUC has called for umbrella companies to be banned. The union body says the scandalous workplace practices associated with umbrella companies have “no place in modern Britain”. An umbrella company is … Continue reading TUC urges ban on umbrella companies – end exploitation of workers amid scandalous workplace practices which have “no place in modern Britain”
More accessible housing, easier commuting and better job prospects are set to become reality for millions of disabled people in the UK through actions set out in the government’s National Disability Strategy. Disabled people set to benefit from plans to upgrade job support and opportunities, housing and transport as part of a new National Disability … Continue reading New National Disability Strategy launched
£375 million Future Fund: Breakthrough opens for applications to help high-growth, R&D intensive companies bring game-changing technologies to marketThe government will co-invest with private investors to help scale-up innovations across UK industries including life sciences and clean technology – driving economy and creating jobsChancellor Rishi Sunak will convene a landmark Treasury Connect conference in London … Continue reading £375 million scheme to drive investment in innovative firms of the future opens for applications
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are targeting contact with those employed in the cleaning sector making them aware of their employers National Minimum Wage obligations. ‘Are you, or someone you know, working in the cleaning sector on the National Minimum Wage?’ The HMRC are highlighting that ‘Unpaid working hours and workers having to pay for … Continue reading Cleaners targeted to check their wages
Measures to boost the nation’s skills, level up opportunities and get more people into better paid jobs have been announced. The measures come after Prime Minister Johnson delivered the levelling up speech, underling the need to escalate the value of practical and vocational education through the Lifetime Skills Guarantee. The Government’s Skills Bootcamp training programmes … Continue reading Skills training boosted
Special edition of the TUC’s Jobs and recovery monitor According to the TUC, The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the reality of insecure work in the UK. Care workers, delivery drivers and shopworkers played a crucial role in keeping society going. Meanwhile, in sectors like hospitality many insecure workers often found themselves without work. This TUC … Continue reading Insecure work
New research shows the link between GCSE attainment and earnings over a person's lifetime. Those who perform just one GCSE grade better than their counterparts across nine subjects have been shown to earn on average over £200,000 more throughout their lives. Statisticians and economists at the Department for Education have established a direct link between … Continue reading Higher GCSE grades linked to lifetime earnings boost
Last year, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) helped more than 150,000 workers who were paid under the minimum wage and is reminding seasonal summer staff to check their pay. HMRC are reminding Students and seasonal staff to check that they are being paid at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW). All workers are legally entitled … Continue reading Summer job? Check: your hourly rate, any deductions or unpaid time.
There were 6 million applications to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30th June 2021, securing EU citizens’ rights in the UK. Statistics released Friday 2nd July 2021, show there were 6.02 million applications made to the scheme by 30th June, with 5.1 million grants of status. There have been more than 5.3 million applications from … Continue reading UK secures the rights of millions of EU citizens
Not before but on 1st July with little to no preparation time for U.K. employers, the Home Office have issued a revised Right To Work checklist for employers. Revised guidance for the changes required from 1st July were only issued late on Friday 18th June 2021 with employers only having less than 13 days to … Continue reading Right to Work Checklist changed 1st July 2021
EU citizens living in the UK on or before 31st December 2020, apply to the EU Settlement Scheme today. Don’t forget your children. Deadline is 30th June 2021. Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status) PAYadvice.UK 29/6/2021
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme was extended until 30th September 2021 and the level of grant available to employers under the scheme stayed the same until 30 June 2021. Claims must be made by 14th July 2021. Changes to the level of grant from 1st July 2021 From 1st July 2021, the level of grant … Continue reading Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from July 2021
A third of key workers (33%) say they do not get full sick payA quarter of key workers (24%) say they get only £96pw statutory sick payExtending sick pay protection to all workers would cost the same as just 1% of the test and trace budget Analysis published by the TUC shows that one in … Continue reading One in 12 key workers do not qualify for statutory sick pay
As Euro 2020 approaches its last games, the TUC has published advice for bosses whose staff want to watch games during their normal working hours. The TUC suggests that bosses: · talk to their employees in advance about arrangements for key games · arrange for their staff to watch the game somewhere on the company’s … Continue reading Let footie fans work flexibly to watch Euro 2020
The TUC working in collaboration with Mother Pukka, would like to hear from parents about childcare and the upcoming summer holidays. The pandemic has had a significant impact on parents and the childcare sector. With the six weeks holidays approaching the TUC want to hear from parents about what childcare provision and support is available, … Continue reading How are you managing childcare provisions and support?
There are just 7 days until the EU #SettlementScheme deadline of 30th June 2021. Apply TODAY if you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen or their family member (and resident in the UK on 31st December 2020). To continue to receive benefits you need to apply. Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme PAYadvice.UK 25/6/2021
From 1st July 2021, new rules for right to work checks will apply. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens will need to provide evidence of a lawful immigration status in the UK. In response to these changes, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has updated the ID checking guidelines for: Basic DBS checks, submitted through a … Continue reading Updated ID checking guidelines in line with new right to work rules
At the eleventh hour, the Home Office have, at last, issued revised guidance (18th June 2021) on the changes required by UK employers in conducting right to work checks on new employees. Employers will need to ensure that their on boarding processes are reviewed and revised. The most significant updates contained in this updated guidance … Continue reading Home Office issues revised Right To Work guidance for 1st July 2021 and onwards
New national rail flexible season tickets and online season ticket calculator launch. #TheFutureIsFlexible as 2 and 3 day-a-week passengers given control over their commute, with potential savings of hundreds of pounds against daily and season ticketsonline ‘season ticket calculator’ will help passengers find the cheapest option as flexible season tickets go on sale from 21st … Continue reading Returning to work – Flexible season tickets
Working-class jobs have less access to homeworking, and flexible hours are more likely to be refusedHomeworking is not the only form of flexible working – wider forms of flexible working should be on offer for all workers, says union bodyTUC challenges ministers to ‘make Britain a world leader for flexible working rights’ New polling in … Continue reading TUC research reveals “emerging class divide” in who gets flexible working
New online tool will make it easier for expectant parents to access and understand Shared Parental Leave and Payworking families can check their eligibility for the scheme in 5 minutes, check what pay they’d be entitled to, and notify their employer using the toolscheme supports mums aiming to return to work and dads and partners … Continue reading New online tool to help working families make the most of shared parental leave
The ONS analyses of HMRC RTI data shows a recovery in both employment and wages; Early estimates for May 2021 indicate that the number of payrolled employees rose by 0.5% compared with May 2020, which is a rise of 141,000 employees; the number of payrolled employees is down by 1.9% since February 2020, a fall … Continue reading Earnings and employment from Pay As You Earn Real Time Information, UK: June 2021
People working in CQC-registered care homes will need to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated with both doses. Decision follows a public consultation with staff, providers, residents and familiesFurther consultation will be launched on whether to extend to other health and social care settings Care home residents will be better protected from death and serious illness, following … Continue reading Care homes workers to be fully vaccinated to protect residents
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme guidance has been further updated on Wednesday 16th June 2021 to include the introduction of tapering from 1st July 2021, and as the claim window for May has closed, so the deadlines for May claims have been changed to the new deadlines for June claims. Page titleChangesAll Pages with a … Continue reading CJRS guidance updated 16th June 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS)@ONS has published new research on homeworking, showing that most people (61%) want to spend at least half of their time working from home post-pandemic. The proportion of working adults who did any work from home in 2020 increased to 37% on average from 27% in 2019 with workers living … Continue reading Attitudes towards the future of homeworking
Government confirms plans to modernise the trade unions regulator to boost transparency and provide reassurance to workers that high standards will be maintainednew enforcement powers and levy mechanism will bring the Certification Officer into line with other regulatorschanges to the regulator, previously approved by Parliament, do not affect unions’ rights to campaign on public policy … Continue reading Plans to modernise the trade unions regulator
New workers’ watchdog to take over responsibility for tackling modern slavery, enforcing minimum wage, and moreone-stop shop will improve enforcement and ensure employees and businesses know where to go for help on workers’ rightsBusiness Minister Paul Scully: We will take action against big brands that turn a blind eye to abuses A powerful new workers’ … Continue reading Government to protect workers’ rights and clamp down on workplace abuse with powerful new body
Businesses can claim £3000 for each new apprentice they take on. From 1st June 2021, employers of all sizes in England can now apply for extra funding to help them take on new apprentices, in the latest drive to revolutionise the skills and training offer across the country. The boost to the apprenticeship incentive scheme … Continue reading Cash boost for apprenticeships launched
The LPC is seeking evidence on the experiences of low-paid workers from ethnic minority backgrounds. Alongside the usual work of monitoring the minimum wage and recommending next year’s rates, the Government’s 2021 remit letter to the LPC made a new request, not included in recent years. This was to gather evidence specifically on the impacts … Continue reading Low Pay and ethnicity – LPC call for evidence
Commenting on Wednesday 26th May 2021 “landmark” trade union recognition agreement between Uber and the GMB, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: “Gig economy workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. This landmark agreement is a huge breakthrough and will give Uber drivers a real voice at work. “The GMB deserve massive credit … Continue reading TUC – Uber recognition agreement is “just the start”
Employers will be able to claim a £1,000 cash boost for every T Level student they host on a high-quality industry placement, as part of a new incentive scheme launched 27th May 2021. The new technical qualifications - co-created with over 250 employers including Fujitsu and Amazon – are equivalent to three A Levels and … Continue reading Employers eligible for £1000 cash boost for every T Level student placement
Service personnel from non-UK nations could be offered indefinite leave to remain in the UK for free under a new public consultation launched today by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel. Service personnel from non-UK nations who have served in the British Armed Forces could be offered indefinite leave to remain in … Continue reading Consultation launched to waive visa fees for non-UK military personnel
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has partnered with Google to provide 9,000 jobseekers across the UK with scholarships to gain a Google Career Certificate. The scholarship will let jobseekers access courses to grow the necessary skills for a career in technology and IT, with Universal Credit claimants being referred to the scholarships by … Continue reading DWP and Google join forces to grow jobseekers’ digital skills
Around 100,000 people who lost jobs in the pandemic are on the road back to work due to a government programme providing targeted support to relaunch their careers. On average, nearly 500 jobseekers have started on the £238 million JETS – Job Entry Targeted Support – scheme over the last seven months. And just under … Continue reading JETS job scheme relaunching 100,000 careers
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have published new guidance on Monday 24th May 2021 which explains how intermediaries can calculate statutory payments for their workers where the off-payroll working rules (IR35) apply. Some payroll software and service solutions may have incorporated automated calculations to facilitate automated statutory payment calculations whereas others may require manual adjustments. … Continue reading Statutory Payments from the deemed employees intermediaries
There have been a number of questions circulating about new format National Insurance Numbers identified as such on letters to individuals from HM Revenue and Customs and also on P2 tax code notifications to individuals. These ‘new numbers’ are in a different format to the traditional NINO. Have NINOs changed? Should employers use these new … Continue reading New format NINOs? No they’re Temporary Reference Numbers (TRNs) – do not use!
The Pensions Regulator is reminding employers that while the workplace has changed due to the pandemic, their workplace pensions duties have not. All employers have a legal duty to automatically enrol eligible staff into a workplace pension and pay in the correct contributions for them. While these are uncertain times for all employers, they must … Continue reading Employers: Your business might have changed, but your workplace pension duties haven’t.
The unemployment rate for Black and minority ethnic (BME) workers has risen at three times the speed of the unemployment rate for white workers, according to TUC analysis of new ONS employment figures published Tuesday 18th May 2021. TUC analysis of the ONS figures show BME unemployment rate has increased by 41% to 8.9% over … Continue reading BME unemployment is rising
HMRC have issued guidance (13th May 2021) to both and help warn business to be aware of risks within Labour supply chains. Why assure the labour supply chain Failing to take reasonable action to make sure that the supply of labour is legitimate can lead to significant legal, financial and reputational risks, liability for unpaid … Continue reading Supply chain due diligence to assure labour supply chains
Prime minister signals that the work from home order will be lifted on 21 JuneRise of homeworking for office workers must not lead to “new inequalities”, warns TUCLack of employment bill in Queen’s Speech a ‘colossal failure’ to address changed expectations of flexibility at work following the pandemic Friday 14th May 2021 is the 16th … Continue reading Work from Home Day: new laws needed to make flexible working patterns available for all workers after pandemic – TUC
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) have published a research paper outlining an action plan to reform labour market enforcement. TUC action plan to reform labour market enforcement They claim that ‘significant reforms are needed to make sure that all workers (and especially low paid, insecure workers) have a viable route to enforce their basic workplace … Continue reading Non-compliance with basic employment rights in the labour market highlights the need for reform – TUC
New sticker scheme launched allowing UK businesses to display their offer of free testing for staff alongside materials promoting use of the NHS COVID-19 app to check in customers and visitorsAlongside the vaccine rollout and checking in with the NHS COVID-19 app, regular testing is at the heart of plans to reopen society and the … Continue reading New ‘We Offer Testing to our Staff’ scheme launched
The Covid-19 pandemic has left low-paid workers more vulnerable and businesses under greater pressure than ever before. This increases the risk of minimum wage underpayment and demands a proactive and strategic response from the Government. These are the conclusions of a report into compliance and enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), published 11th May … Continue reading Low Pay Commission publish their report on National Minimum Wage enforcement
Our aim is to raise awareness of scams and employment fraud among job seekers. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is running a campaign to raise awareness of job scams and employment fraud among job seekers. DBS is working alongside JobsAware, Disclosure Scotland and AccessNI. JobsAware is a non-profit organisation, with cross-government support, that informs people … Continue reading Raising awareness of job scams
HMRC have published further guidance (29th April 2021) to clarify the position on agency and contractors who are employees of umbrella organisations. Working through an umbrella company Those employed by umbrellas can find out about how and what they will be paid if they are an agency worker or contractor and work through an umbrella … Continue reading HMRC publish guidance for those employed by umbrellas
The UK has one of the best workers’ rights records in the world. Following the 1st May International Workers’ Day 2021, the UK reflects on some of the key steps the Government has taken to support workers since last year. Looking to the future, the government is bringing forward plans to crack down on workplace … Continue reading The key steps Government has taken to support workers
International Workers' Day, also known as Labour Day in most countries and often referred to as May Day, is a celebration of labourers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labour movement and occurs every year on May Day. The following has been issued by the UK Trades Union Congress (TUC): Dear … Continue reading Happy May Day
Changes relates to an applicant's personal information and apply from 31st May 2021. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) are implementing changes to the enhanced DBS check application process. The change will mean that DBS is no longer able to amend an applicant’s personal information on an application form, once it has been submitted. The … Continue reading Changes to the enhanced DBS check application process
The Kickstart Scheme was announced by the Chancellor last Summer, and will offer hundreds of thousands of job opportunities over the next two years. A £2 billion pot is available to fully fund positions with businesses across Britain. 16,500 young people have already started their 6 month paid job placement through the #Kickstart Scheme and … Continue reading Kickstart scheme takes off
Dear Payadvice Ltd, I’m writing to you with the latest information about financial support schemes available to help your clients as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs. This includes the latest on the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the VAT deferral new payment scheme. Thank you for … Continue reading COVID-19 support – what’s available and actions you or your clients may need
Sectors including creative, agriculture and construction industries will soon be able to offer more flexible apprenticeship opportunities A consultation has launched Tuesday 20th April 2021, seeking views on how new flexi-job apprenticeship schemes could be run. Apprenticeships are at least 12 months long, so some sectors with flexible employment patterns and short-term roles, such as … Continue reading New flexible apprenticeships consultation
The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has published a research report looking at the use of ‘umbrella’ companies and other labour market intermediaries in the UK. The factual and technical report also considers the nature and scale of disguised remuneration schemes. It is intended to help increase public knowledge of how labour market intermediaries … Continue reading ‘Umbrella’ companies under the spotlight
Staff in care homes with older adult residents in England may be required to have a COVID-19 vaccine to protect residents from the virus. Consultation launched on making COVID vaccination a condition of work for people who are deployed in these homesCare home workers urged to take up offer of a vaccine now to keep … Continue reading Staff COVID-19 vaccines in care homes consultation
How to make your workplace COVID-secure. Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) Applies to: England (see guidance for Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) The 14 guides cover a range of different types of work. Many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, so may need to use more than one guide as they think through what they need … Continue reading Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) – Step 2
Thousands of crucial frontline health workers and their dependents will be granted free visa extensions, Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced today. This free one-year visa extensions will automatically be granted to eligible overseas health and care workers whose visas were due to expire before 1st October 2021. Since starting the free extensions last year, … Continue reading Visas extended for thousands of frontline health and care workers
Increased incentive payments for hiring a new apprentice Employers will receive £3,000 for new apprentices of any age who join their organisation from 1st April 2021 to 30th September 2021. The incentive payment is in addition to the £1,000 employers already receive for hiring an apprentice: aged 16 to 18 years oldunder 25 with an … Continue reading Incentive payments for hiring a new apprentice
The recruitment is a further boost for the government’s Plan for Jobs, which aims to help people of all ages move into work. Thousands of young people will benefit from six-month intensive employment support packages as the Department for Work and Pensions recruits an extra 150 specialist Youth Employability Coaches across the UK. Youth Employability … Continue reading Specialist job coaches to help young people onto the jobs ladder
A survey carried out by The Open University (OU) shows that employers have a renewed appetite for apprenticeships and work-based learning. A significant number (70%) say apprenticeships will be vital to their recovery from the disruption caused by Covid-19, with 72% planning to take on more apprentices over the next 12 months. TrainingZone explores the … Continue reading Work-based learning key to post-COVID-19 recovery – OU
A new government-backed loan scheme launched 6th April 2021 to provide additional finance to those businesses that need it. new loan scheme to provide further support to protect businesses and jobsloans include 80% government guarantee and interest rate capgovernment has backed £75 billion of loans as part of a £350 billion wider support package The … Continue reading Recovery Loan Scheme launches
Outdoor pubs, shops, gyms and hairdressers to reopen. From Monday 12th April 2021 additional premises will be able to reopen – with the rules on social contact applying. Indoor settings must only be visited alone or with household groups, with outdoor settings limited to either six people or two households. This includes non-essential retail; personal … Continue reading Further easing of Covid restrictions from 12th April 2021
Around one in three key (33%) workers earn less than £10 an hour according to analysis by the TUC. Analysis published alongside the new minimum and living wage rates Union body calls on ministers to raise minimum wage to £10 an hour The analysis reveals that around 3.2 million key workers are paid less than … Continue reading 1 in 3 key workers paid under £10 per hour
Launch of free qualifications marks a major milestone in government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee An estimated 11 million adults now have the opportunity to gain a new qualification for free, designed to help them to gain in-demand skills and secure great jobs. Almost 400 qualifications are available to take backed by £95 million in government funding … Continue reading Hundreds of free qualifications on offer to boost skills and jobs
The Low Pay Commission (LPC) is the independent body which advises Government on the levels of the National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW). To help shape the recommendations they will make this autumn on the 2022 minimum wage rates, they are seeking evidence on the impact of the NLW and NMW. All … Continue reading Low Pay Commission – Consultation on April 2022 National Minimum Wage rates
Around 2 million of the UK’s lowest-paid workers will benefit from an increase in National Living Wage and National Minimum WageNational Living Wage will rise 2.2% to £8.91, and be given to 23 and 24-year-olds for the first timeBusiness Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng urges workers to check their pay packet to ensure they get what they … Continue reading Millions get pay rise as National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage increase comes into effect
Millions of jobseekers will be able to access longer work-related training while in receipt of benefits to boost their chances of finding employment. Train and Progress (TaP) is a new DWP initiative aimed at increasing training opportunities for claimants. It will see an extension to the length of time people can receive Universal Credit while … Continue reading Universal Credit claimants TaP into employment
Changes include: The visitor economy and Hotels and other guest accommodation guidance has been updated to include information on reasonable adjustments, changes to NHS Test and Trace regulations.Providers of grassroots sport and sport facilities guidance has been updated to include information on reasonable adjustments, changes to NHS Test and Trace regulations, as well as a new shorter format focussing on … Continue reading Working safely guidance has been updated to include changes to national restrictions.
The age threshold for the National Living Wage changes from 25 to 23 as the rate increases on 1st April. The National Living Wage (NLW) will increase on Thursday 1st April 2021 to £8.91, giving a real-terms pay rise to millions of workers. At the same time, the age threshold for the rate will move … Continue reading 1st April – National Living Wage extended to younger workers
In the next major push for the Government’s workplace testing programme, all employers will now be able to offer their employees free, rapid and regular testing that can be taken at home Government makes rapid home testing available for all businesses with over 10 employees who cannot offer on-site testingBusinesses must register interest by 12th … Continue reading Workplace testing programme expands to offer free rapid home testing
This article is based on HMRC information ESM2390. What is an ‘umbrella company‘? There is no statutory definition of an ‘umbrella company’. It is generally accepted that an umbrella company is a company that employs temporary workers who work for different end clients’. Typically they enter into a contract with a recruitment agency who will … Continue reading IR35/Off-Payroll Working – Umbrellas and Agencies
Employers are to be required to keep records relevant to National Minimum Wage for 6 years as part of the The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2021. Regulation 2(5) extends the period for which an employer must keep records sufficient to establish that the employer is remunerating the worker at a rate at least equal … Continue reading Employee payment records required to be retained for Six Years for National Minimum Wage purposes
Government-backed finance helped thousands of businesses through the pandemic with a loan issued through the Bounce Back Loan scheme roughly every 20 seconds since its launch last May, new figures reveal today, 25th March 2021. new statistics reveal that three Bounce Back Loans were issued every minute since May 2020 launchemergency loans provided almost £180 … Continue reading Government-backed loans help thousands of businesses to protect jobs during pandemic
Statement made on 23rd March 2021: As part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to support claimants back into work, DWP is moving at pace this spring and summer to introduce new Jobcentres, as a direct response to the pandemic. On top of the 13,500 new Work Coaches who will be in place by the end … Continue reading Plan for jobs – well underway!
Are you an EU citizen living and working in the United Kingdom? It is now less than 100 days until the 30th June 2021 application deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme. If you have not applied, then: Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status) PAYadvice.UK 24/3/2021
The latest three months to February 2021 recorded small increases in the number of payroll employees although since February 2020, the number of payroll employees has fallen by 693,000 with the largest falls seen at the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Analysis by age band shows that under 25s contributed over 60% of the … Continue reading ONS UK Labour market overview: March 2021
From 12th April 2021, jobcentres in England, Scotland and Wales will return to their pre-lockdown opening hours. While jobcentres have remained open and fully operational throughout the pandemic for those who really need it, and Work Coaches have continued to support all their customers virtually – opening hours were temporarily shortened to 10am to 2pm … Continue reading Normal jobcentre opening hours resume from 12 April
From 6th April 2021, employers who hire former members of the UK regular armed forces will be able to claim a National Insurance holiday for 12 months starting from the first day of the veteran's first civilian employment. This zero-rate can be applied up to the veterans upper secondary threshold. This relief is available from … Continue reading Employ Veterans
All businesses in England are now able to sign up to the government’s free COVID-19 workplace testing programme. Workplace testing now available to all businesses, including those with fewer than 50 employeesBusiness encouraged to register interest by 31 March to access free workplace testingRegular testing will be a vital part of the government’s roadmap to … Continue reading Free rapid tests for all businesses for regular workplace testing
Liz Truss calls for flexible working to be normalised – giving employees the option to things like part-time/flexi time, working from home and job shares.New research from the UK Government and jobs website ‘Indeed’ reveals offering flexible working arrangements increases job applications by 30%A national shift to flexible working would boost productivity and particularly help … Continue reading Minister calls for flexible working to be normalised
Enhanced grants are being provided to employer who take on apprentices of any age. £3,000 for each new apprentice hired between the 1st April to 30th September 2021. An additional £126 million for traineeships in England. PAYadvice.UK 3/3/2021
A programme called CRED set up in partnership with HM Prison & Probation Service announces its bold achievements in the face of COVID challenges. CRED (Clean Rehabilitative Enabling and Decent) enables ex-offenders to join purposeful work placements which lead to full time work and financial independence. This significantly reduces the reoffending rate. The aim of … Continue reading CRED programme helps ex-offenders into work
ACAS have remind us that as Career's week begins, it's crucial to be aware of workplace rights as well as job requirements. They have issued some pointers to help make sure that you're being treated fairly. ACAS provide employment advice: ACAS advice PAYadvice.UK 2/3/2021
