Articles and information in relation to UK Payroll for business, employers and employees.
If you, as an employer, provide any of the mandated benefits, including those offered via salary sacrifice or other Optional Remuneration Arrangements (OpRA) being: Company Cars including salary sacrifice cars Car fuel Company Vans Van fuel Medical benefits Then you need to start your Payrolling plans now. Does mandation affect those who have voluntarily payrolled … Continue reading Payrolling 2027 – it’s time to get ready
Back in July 2026, Simon Parsons of PAYadvice.UK joined the award winning Fair Work Solution teams Podcast with Wendy Muirhead tackling the question of 'Is Your Business Really NMW Compliant?' With the launch of the Fair Work Agency and their first naming and shaming list of NMW breach employers, its still looking as if many … Continue reading Is Your Business Really NMW Compliant?
Half a million workers are set for a pay boost worth over £1,250 a year as nearly 17,000 employers are signed up to pay the real Living Wage, including IKEA, Uniqlo and Everton FC. One in seven UK employees works for a Living Wage Employer. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Living Wage campaign, … Continue reading Real Living Wage increases to £14.10 in UK and £15.45 in London
Over 900,000 people could benefit from new plans which include measures to crack down on bogus self-employment. More workers to gain access to the National Minimum Wage and holiday pay. Proposals will also make it easier for 900,000 people to access rights they should already be entitled to and improve the rights of the genuinely … Continue reading New action to crackdown on bogus self-employment loopholes
Around £4 million has been repaid to 27,000 workers. Latest list of employers who have underpaid workers revealed as Government hands enforcement powers to new dedicated body. 658 employers named for failing to pay staff the National Minimum Wage, with £4 million returned directly to workers. Thousands of workers given more room to breathe as … Continue reading 658 employers shamed for illegally “Short-changing staff”
HMRC has opened the second phase of mandatory tax adviser registration, with eligible advisers required to register by 18th November 2026. Phase two of the new online registration requirement for tax advisers rolls out. Advisers with Self Assessment or Corporation Tax accounts, but without an agent services account (ASA), now need to register. Advisers who … Continue reading Second tax adviser registration window now open
The Living Wage foundation For over 20 years, the Living Wage Foundation has championed decent wages, working with nearly 16,000 employers, securing over £4.2 billion in pay rises for low paid workers and changing millions of lives. But high levels of insecure work are trapping millions of people in poverty, which makes it impossible to … Continue reading Why Living Hours Employers guarantee 16 hours’ work
Get ready for mandatory payrolling of benefits in kind (BiKs) For employers who offer any of the mandatory benefits: Cars and Fuel Medical benefits Vans and Fuel It is important that employers start planning on both the payroll implementation aspects and how they will obtain and apply the required benefit data from their benefit providers. … Continue reading Payrolling Benefits and registration
The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have updated the draft guides on Mandating Payrolling Benefits in Kind (MPBiKs) on the evening of Friday 31st July 2026. 31st July 2026 update: The default operation of mandatory payrolling Benefits in kind that come under mandatory payrolling from April 2027 have been listed. Reporting requirements The guidance has … Continue reading Mandating Payrolling of Benefits in Kind (MPBiKs) – July/August 2026 update and the revised draft RTI Data Items
Who are the Fair Work Agency (FWA)? The Fair Work Agency (FWA) is the nations single enforcement body for major employment rights, launched on 7th April 2026. One of its opening priorities is policing and enforcement of National Minimum Wage (which also includes the Hational Kiving Wage). An area of concern are umbrella deductions and … Continue reading Minimum Wage Enforcement and Umbrella Deductions
New research by workplace expert Acas shows that changes to sick pay, paternity leave and unfair dismissal will pose the greatest challenges for businesses under new rules. A recent YouGov survey, commissioned by Acas, asked employers which changes in the Employment Rights Act will be the hardest to adopt for their organisation. Nearly 1 in … Continue reading Which Employment Rights Act changes are the hardest to adopt?
Employer National Insurance (NI) contributions should be cut for all workers under 25 to boost employment among the more than 1 million young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), MPs have said. In a new report, the Work and Pensions Committee welcoming early steps taken to prioritise work and training opportunities for 18 … Continue reading MPs push to cut employer’s National Insurance contributions for all under-25s
Government backs industry to create new British jobs and support local communities with new weighting in public contracts. Government backs industry to create new British jobs and support local communities with new weighting in public contracts. Organisations will now be assessed on how they help local people develop new skills and support young people into … Continue reading Public spending must back British jobs and skills in every postcode
Thousands more young people will be able to gain the skills, qualifications and experience they need for future careers, as the government … rolls out a major package to break down barriers stopping access to technical education, training, and apprenticeships. New bursary supports young people by removing a key financial barrier to apprenticeships. Thousands more … Continue reading Government invests in young people with more opportunities close to home
Government launches consultation, inviting businesses, workers, and civil society to help shape the next steps on equal pay reform. Further progress being made on commitment to end pay discrimination Businesses, workers, and trade unions to have a say on equal pay reform 15-week consultation aims to root out unfairness from the equal pay system so that … Continue reading Equal pay system to be improved
The Chancellor has confirmed that the date of the Budget will be Wednesday 28 October 2026. In a video message, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey MP said: This government is working fast to restore hope and back Britain’s communities. In the past two weeks, we have begun to kickstart growth in every postcode. We … Continue reading Budget to move “power and money out of Westminster, and into every postcode
Make Work Pay: holiday pay compliance and enforcement The government has opened a consultation on: the proposed approach to holiday pay compliance and enforcement some of the important design features what support and guidance the Fair Work Agency can provide to help support compliance Right to holiday leave and pay Paid holiday or annual leave … Continue reading Holiday Pay enforcement consultation open
Businesses who take on jobless youngsters will be offered thousands of pounds in the latest boost to youth employment support. From Tuesday 30th June 2026, employers can claim £3,000 if they take on an eligible young person who has been out of work for six months. Attractions giant Merlin Entertainments – which is also participating … Continue reading Funding for businesses who give youngsters a chance
The estimated provisional UK tax gap for the 2024 to 2025 tax year is 6.4% or £59.2 billion. The largest share of the 2024 to 2025 tax gap estimate is from small businesses’ non-compliance. The government has already announced plans to raise a further £10 billion a year by 2029 to 2030 through its measures … Continue reading Tax Gap 2024-25 at 6.4%
The West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and East of England will be under a red heat-health alert. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a red heat-health alert (HHA) for 6 regions of England. The West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and East of England will be … Continue reading Working through a red heat-health alert
The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have confirmed a phased approach to the implementation of Payrolling for April 2027 and a further phase in April 2028. Originally it had been proposed to mandate the payrolling of all benefits in kind excepting accommodation and loans, from April 2026. This was then delayed until April 2027. This … Continue reading Payrolling Benefits April 2027 phasing (MPBiKs)
A new report released .. reveals the strides being made to improve the accuracy of the Companies House register and disrupt economic crime. The report is the latest update into the implementation of parts 1 to 3 of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCT Act) which brought reforms to UK company law in almost … Continue reading Progress made in cleaning up Companies House register as further steps taken to tackle economic crime
Skills England report shows what works for AI training and new tools will help employers build the AI skills their workforce needs. Skills England report shows what works for AI training, as skills gaps hold back adoption New tools will help employers build the AI skills their workforce needs, drawing on first-hand experience from early adopters. They follow recent launch of … Continue reading New tools to help employers maximise AI productivity gains
... partnership between government, industry and trade unions to better support young people entering the job market. ✅ 400,000 disadvantaged school students to gain AI & tech skills✅ New AI bootcamps rolling out across England✅ A new government-industry alliance to support early careers Young people entering the job market will be better supported into their … Continue reading Young people being supported into entry-level jobs of the future – AI bootcamps and tech training.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has seen an increase in attempts to use ‘Bills of Exchange’ to pay a tax liability. HMRC are aware that there are promoters, particularly in the recruitment and temporary labour sector, marketing their use. Organised Crime Groups are also particularly active in these sectors. HMRC have set out their position … Continue reading Tax fraud warning: ‘Bills of Exchange’
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
Young people across the country will be helped onto the career ladder thanks to the creation of 300,000 new work experience and training placements in sectors including construction, health and social care and hospitality. New placements announced as Government accelerates its Youth Guarantee to give every young person the chance to earn or learn. Expansion … Continue reading Employment lifeline for young people
The final independent report of Director of Labour Market Enforcement (DLME) commissioned assessment on the scale and nature of labour non-compliance and other work-based harms in the UK has been published with some shocking results. The report was to question: How many workers have their rights breached in the UK labour market? What issues do … Continue reading 5.4 million workers have employment rights breached
Leading women’s health campaigner and broadcaster Mariella Frostrup has been appointed as the Government’s Women's Employment Ambassador, a newly created role to support working women across the country. Mariella Frostrup has been appointed as the new Women’s Employment Ambassador to champion women’s health in the workplace. Appointment comes as businesses encouraged to publish voluntary action plans to better support employees experiencing menopause symptoms. Together these measures will work to address the near record … Continue reading Millions of working women set to benefit from landmark workplace health drive
Britain faces an urgent economic inactivity crisis driven in large part by ill-health and the barriers to work faced by disabled people. Over 1 in 5 working-age adults (2.8 million)are out of work and not looking for work and the most common cause is long-term health issues. The disability employment rate is 52.8%, 29.5% below … Continue reading Keep Britain Working – an update
(c)2025 PAYadvice Ltd New minimum wage rates come into force [for pay reference period starting{ from 1st April [2026], following Low Pay Commission recommendations. Increased rates of the National Minimum Wage, including the National Living wage came into force for pay reference period from 1st April 2026. These rates bring into effect recommendations made by the … Continue reading National Living Wage rises to £12.71
Holiday pay clampdown is on its way with new employer recording obligations and Holiday Pay compliance being introduced alongside the Fair Work Agency enforcement duties. Holiday entitlement and pay rights All employees and workers across the United Kingdom have rights to holiday entitlements and pay. Statistical analysis has shown that in excess of 1.8 million … Continue reading Employers required to keep holiday records
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) changes on 6th April 2026 as a result of the Employment Rights Act. More employees will now qualify for Sick Pay SSP as a result of: The Period of Incapacity for Work (PIW) being reduced from 4 calendar days to 1 The number of initial Qualifying Days (QD) which act as … Continue reading SSP Qualifying Days – April 2026 no change
With new Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rules applying from 6th April 2026, the DWP have updated form SSP1 for use when an employer is not or will stop paying SSP. From 6th April 2026, new changes come into play for SSP: Period of Incapacity for Work (PIW) is reduced to 1 calendar day (previously 4) … Continue reading SSP1 form readied for April 2026 changes
Action plans supporting women to succeed at work launched by Minister for Women and Equalities ahead of International Women’s Day 2026. Action plans supporting women to succeed at work launched by Minister for Women and Equalities ahead of International Women’s Day 2026 Employer guidance published today Wednesday 4th March 2026 showing government and businesses working collaboratively … Continue reading Landmark gender pay gap and menopause action plan launched to help women thrive at work
Wound-up in the public interest following Insolvency Service investigations Four companies have been shut down after investigations revealed they were connected to a scheme which helped directors sell struggling businesses for £1 while keeping assets and dropping debts The scheme’s operators failed to preserve accounting records or assess what had happened to the more than … Continue reading Shut down of Four companies linked to scheme aiding directors to walk away from debts
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
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
As part of the February Employer Bulletin, the HMRC are reminding employers that the regular electronic payment deadline of 22nd of both February and March 2026 fall on weekends. The electronic payment deadlines fall on a Sunday on 22 February 2026 and 22 March 2026. To make sure your payment for these months reaches us on time, you need to have … Continue reading HMRC electronic payment deadline for February and March 2026
HMRC interest rates for late payments will be revised following the Bank of England interest rate cut to 3.75% on 18th December 2025. The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee announced on 18th December 2025 to reduce the Bank of England base rate to 3.75% from 4.00%. HMRC interest rates are linked to the Bank of … Continue reading HMRC revises interest rates
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
As part of the December 2025 Employer Bulletin, information on Labour supply change responsibilities have been issued: From 6th April 2026, significant changes to PAYE responsibilities will come into effect for labour supply chains, that include umbrella companies. An agency or end client are responsible for making sure PAYE is operated correctly when an umbrella company employs their workers. … Continue reading New PAYE responsibilities in labour supply chains – Umbrellas
This working paper seeks views on different options to reform non-compete clauses in employment contracts. Non-compete clauses are inserted into employment contracts to restrict an individual’s ability to work for, or establish, a competing business after they have moved on from a job. The government is interested in views on different options to reform non-compete clauses in employment contracts to support the … Continue reading Reform of non-compete clauses in employment contracts
(c)2025 PAYadvice Ltd The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has announced on the day before her 26th November 2025 Autumn Budget the acceptance of the Low Pay Commission recommendations on increases to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. These uplifts are predicted in benefit 2.7 million U.K. workers with a significant increase … Continue reading April 2026 National Minimum and Living Wage increases confirmed
HMRC is aware that businesses are being approached by organisations offering models which falsely claim to be able to reduce employment costs through ‘tax credits’ offset from third party businesses they have acquired. HMRC considers these arrangements tax evasion. HMRC is aware that businesses are being approached by organisations offering models which falsely claim to be able to reduce … Continue reading Tax fraud warning for employment agencies and employers
60 major and many small employers are joining forces with government to tackle the rising tide of ill-health that is pushing people out of work Employers join forces with government to tackle ill-health and keep Britain working Employers and mayoral authorities back plans to support employees to keep people healthy and in work. A three-year partnership, led … Continue reading Tackling ill-health and keep Britain working
Number of illegal working arrests skyrocket by 63% as Immigration Enforcement carry out highest level of raids in British history. Arrests for illegal working have soared to their highest levels since records began, following an uplift in enforcement action. Under Operation Sterling, the government invested £5 million into Immigration Enforcement, to target, arrest, detain, deport … Continue reading Largest crackdown on illegal workers
New report exposes major AI skills gap holding UK businesses back - but 3 new tools launched will help unlock up to £400bn growth potential by 2030 Skills England unveils new AI Skills Framework, Adoption Pathway and Employer Checklist to support wider and more responsible AI use Separately, 7.5 million UK workers are set to gain essential AI skills by 2030 … Continue reading Help for UK businesses to fill £400bn AI skills gap
Consultation on extending legislation to prevent illegal working (the Right to Work Scheme) to other working arrangements This Home Office consultation is now live. It is open to businesses across the UK and seeks views on how the checks should be implemented in the wider labour market (gig economy, zero hours, flexible working arrangements). This … Continue reading Preventing illegal working (the Right to Work Scheme) to other working arrangements
HMRC have added a practicing barrister, Setu Kamal, to the HMRC tax avoidance promoters list for the first time. Practising barrister added to GOV.UK tax avoidance promoter list for the first time HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) finds senior legal professional designed four schemes that aimed to avoid Income Tax and National Insurance A practising … Continue reading HMRC name tax avoidance barrister
Competition and Market Authority (CMA)’s investigation into sports broadcasting and production companies colluding on rates of pay for freelance workers. In March 2025, the CMA found that some of the largest sports broadcast and production companies in the UK shared sensitive information about fees for freelance workers such as camera operators, sound technicians and producers. This related … Continue reading £4.2 million pay fix fines
For those who operate a limited company, Companies House (CH) are introducing a single sign-in to make it easier and more secure for companies and business owners to access their services. The move to GOV.UK One Login means companies of all sizes are to benefit from a more secure, consistent way of accessing CH services … Continue reading Access to Companies House WebFiling accounts to move to GOV.UK One Login
Those who still owe Covid scheme money to the public purse have been given a time-limited opportunity to pay it back before tougher sanctions apply. New voluntary repayment scheme gives individuals and businesses until December 2025 to return pandemic scheme money, no questions asked. Use it or lose it opportunity comes ahead of tougher sanctions … Continue reading Covid repayment window opens
Speech delivered by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson at the Trades Union Congress annual conference in Brighton, 2025 Thank you, Congress, for that warm welcome. What a joy it is to be back here in Brighton. And back here with the TUC. Thank you to Mark, and to Paul, and to the whole team, and thank … Continue reading Bridget Phillipson speech to TUC conference, 2025
HMRC publishes the Employer Bulletin 6 times a year, giving employers and agents the latest information on topics and issues that may affect them. Some of these topics have already been covered by PAYadvice.UK in articles and blogs and further articles and blogs may now additionally be published. The August edition of Employer Bulletin includes … Continue reading Employer Bulletin: August 2025
thousands of businesses and fleet operators will continue to receive crucial financial support after existing grant scheme extended move provides certainty for businesses to continue their switch to electric, supporting their expansion and jobs across the UK forms part of government’s £650 million scheme to make it cheaper to buy EVs and helping to boost growth as part of … Continue reading Discounts for electric vans and trucks extended
Driving theory tests will include enhanced first aid questions from 2026, building on existing first aid content that has been part of driver education for years. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is expanding the theory test question bank to: include enhanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) content add questions about automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for the … Continue reading New theory test questions aim to boost cardiac arrest survival rate
…phasing in identity verification over 12 months to make things simpler for companies and business owners Companies House (CH) confirms that from Tuesday 18th November 2025, legal requirements for directors and people with significant control (PSCs) of companies to verify their identities will begin. From 18th November 2025: new directors will need to verify their … Continue reading Companies House identity verification rollout from 18th November 2025
Illegal workers arrested in nationwide enforcement surge Hundreds of arrests have been made across the UK following a week-long crackdown on riders working illegally for delivery firms. Operation Equalize Under Operation Equalize, the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement teams launched a nationwide intensification week of activity targeting illegal working hotspots, with a focus on the gig … Continue reading Illegal delivery riders shut down
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
The Low Pay Commission has updated its projections for the National Living Wage in 2026. The Government has published the Low Pay Commission’s remit for the rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) that will apply from April 2026. £12.71 Read the Low Pay Commission’s remit for 2025 On the … Continue reading National Living Wage April 2026 projection
Pre-loved tech will help to bridge digital divide under new government charter Organisations can sign up to the IT Reuse for Good charter on and then work with their chosen charity partner to distribute devices. Big names like Deloitte and VodafoneThree alongside leading charity Good Things Foundation are uniting with government to encourage organisations to … Continue reading Pre-loved tech helps bridge digital divide
The Plan to Make Work Pay is intended to tackle poor pay, poor working conditions and poor job security so that people across the country feel the benefits. Strengthening Statutory Sick Pay is a key component of this reform, ensuring that the safety net of sick pay is available to those who need it the … Continue reading SSP changes confirmed for 6th April 2026
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have issued Spotlight 68 which provides information on a tax avoidance scheme being marketed to companies that aims to reduce Corporation Tax and VAT liabilities whilst also claiming to provide non-taxable income for directors, their associates or both. This avoidance scheme is claimed to operate by: a company buying ‘advertising’ from … Continue reading Prepaid debit cards used for profit extraction and disguised income
The latest statistics for Insolvency Service enforcement outcomes… outline Covid loan abuse and bankruptcy restriction orders. More than 1,000 directors disqualified following Insolvency Service investigations. Of these, 736 were banned for Covid loan abuse. The report also highlights the average length of a ban was eight years. The Insolvency Service enforcement outcomes report for … Continue reading More than 1,000 directors disqualified in 2024-2025
PAYadvice.UK sees a number of social posts and questions around the effective payroll dates when crossing from the 2024/2025 tax year into the new 2025/2026 tax year. Most recently have related to poor business planning by some employers on the impacts of National Insurance increases relating to work undertaken in March 2025 or earlier which … Continue reading Payroll dates – what affects what?
On 1st April 2025, minimum wage rates have increased. This short report from the Low Pay Commission looks at the impact of those changes and the change to National Insurance. Increases in all rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW), come into effect for pay periods starting on or … Continue reading The National Minimum Wage in 2025 – LPC
Directors and company boards are being urged to shore up their cyber defences using new guidance, in a bid to protect their organisations from the growing tide of online threats. Package of measures sets clear steps boards and directors can take to protect their businesses from cyber criminals Improved strategies and better risk management will … Continue reading Business leaders supported to bolster online defences
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
Outrageous fake reviews and sneaky hidden fees are now banned once and for all in a major win for consumers right across the UK. Fake reviews and hidden fees that cost consumers £2.2bn every year now banned Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) takes on major new powers to directly enforce new consumer laws Changes will … Continue reading Fake reviews and sneaky hidden fees banned
With the increase to employers secondary National Insurance to 15% and the lowering of the Secondary Threshold to £5,000 per annum for all payments of wages and earnings from Sunday 6th April 2025, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have published the revised National Insurance Contribution (NIC) tables to be operated. Payroll software will have been … Continue reading National Insurance Tables published for 2025/2026
UK Government launches next stage in process asking UK businesses to comment on options to shape UK’s potential response to US tariffs. Business and Trade Secretary tells Parliament UK is disappointed at US tariffs and will continue constructive discussions with US on wider deal. Tariffs remain the last resort, with options kept open. UK businesses … Continue reading UK seeks business views on response to US tariffs
Prime Minister's remarks delivered to UK business leaders in 10 Downing Street Thank you for joining me in Downing Street today. Last night, the President of the United States, acted for his country. That is his mandate. Today, I will act in Britain’s interests, with mine. I understand how important this is for your business … Continue reading PM addresses business leaders – re USA
Changes to company size thresholds for off-payroll working Where an engager or business needs to consider the off-payroll working (OPW) rules there is an important change relating to company size thresholds. From 6th April 2025, the government thresholds that determine if a company is classified as ‘small’ change. This means that for accounting periods beginning … Continue reading IR35 Off Payroll Working – trigger threshold change
The 'Eligibility for Employment Allowance: further employer guidance' has been updated to include early years childcare providers. Early years childcare providers are entitled to claim the Employment Allowance if they are private businesses or charities. This includes local authority or central government funded institutions provided they have charitable status. If connected to others, then there … Continue reading Employment Allowance Guidance updated – early years childcare
The government has published its response to the consultation on Umbrellas on 4th March 226. There is evidence of widespread non-compliance in the umbrella company market resulting in the depriving of workers employment rights. The Government considers action in the umbrella company market is imperative to protect the most vulnerable workers. Responses to the consultation … Continue reading Umbrella non-compliance
Companies House and HMRC are closing the joint online filing service on 31 March 2026. Companies have previously had the option to use this service to file their accounts and Company Tax Returns at the same time with Companies House and HMRC. From 1st April 2026, companies can file their annual accounts with Companies House … Continue reading Online accounts and Company Tax Return service closing 2026
The Government… table amendments to the Employment Rights Bill. The Government have laid amendments to the Employment Rights Bill following weeks of consultation with business groups and unions. The Bill claims to support the Government’s mission to increase productivity and create the right conditions for long-term sustainable, inclusive, and secure economic growth, delivering on the … Continue reading Employment Rights Bill latest
New research shows apprenticeships contribute £25bn to England’s economy, with reforms announced during National Apprenticeship Week... Apprentices in England will drive £25bn of economic growth over their lifetime, new figures have revealed. This is almost double the £14bn contribution found the last time this was assessed in 2018, demonstrating apprentices’ importance to the government’s mission … Continue reading Apprenticeships contribute £25bn to economy
The government has been intensifying raids to tackle illegal working across England since the summer. Officers have been out in force across the UK to disrupt rogue employers who hire migrants illegally and exploit vulnerable people, and to address the promise of illegal jobs that are used by criminal smuggling gangs to sell spaces in … Continue reading Crack down on illegal working
The Low Pay Commission (LPC) published its report into compliance and enforcement of the National Minimum Wage. The LPC estimates (based on statistics from the employers ASHE data) that around 371,000 workers were underpaid in April 2024. This represents a slight increase on the previous year but is below estimated numbers from the pre-pandemic period. … Continue reading Over 370,000 underpaid in April 2024
HMRC highlights online support for small businesses to help them understand their tax responsibilities Running a small business, working for yourself, or considering self-employment? HMRC’s free online guidance and interactive tools can help you understand your tax responsibilities As Small Business Saturday approaches, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has launched a new interactive online tool … Continue reading New support for Small Business
Businesses who commit serious offences will be banned from sponsoring overseas workers to crack down on visa abuse and prevent exploitation. Businesses that repeatedly flout visa rules or commit serious employment breaches, such as not paying the National Minimum Wage, will be barred from hiring overseas workers. Currently, employers who flagrantly flout visa rules can … Continue reading Rogue employers to be banned from hiring overseas workers
GDPR tax relief! HMRC is aware of tax agents that target businesses to claim Corporation Tax refunds through incorrect provisions, linked to potential GDPR fines or civil claims. These claims are not in accordance with the law and HMRC will challenge anyone: making such claims who encourages or facilitates businesses to make false claims that reduce tax … Continue reading GDPR tax relief claims! You’re kidding
Analysis shows that umbrella companies were used to engage at least 700,000 workers in 2022 to 2023. This also shows that at least 275,000 of these workers, and likely significantly more, were engaged at some point in 2022 to 2023 by umbrella companies that failed to comply with their tax obligations. These schemes can leave … Continue reading Tackling umbrella non-compliance
As part of the Autumn Budget 2024, the government have confirmed that employment costs on employers are increasing from 6th April 2025 with: The introduction of a lowered Secondary Threshold reduced from the current £175 per week to around £96 Per week. An increase in the employers National Insurance contribution rate from the current 13.8% … Continue reading Autumn Budget 2024 – Employer National Insurance costs increase
The image of the umbrella is significant as many of the named tax avoidance and those issued with official stop notices are umbrella organisations. Some even operate across the public sector. The workers are not all high paid, and the resulting tax bill for tax not paid on what is earnings, wages, employment income, can … Continue reading Tax Avoidance promoters – the list keeps growing – now over 120+
As part of the October 2024 Employer Bulletin, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are asking employers to to assist with protecting workers from getting caught using tax avoidance schemes which do not work. The HMRC tax avoidance ‘don’t get caught out’ campaign helps workers such as contractors spot the signs of bad tax advice and understand their … Continue reading Help protect workers from getting caught out by tax avoidance
Almost half a million people working for more than 15,000 real Living Wage Employers throughout the country are set for a vital cost-of-living pay boost, as the real Living Wage rates rise to £12.60 an hour across the UK (60p or 5% increase), and £13.85 an hour in London (70p or 5.3% increase). Recent research … Continue reading Real Living Wage increases to £12.60 in UK and £13.85 in London
Ten million working people across the country to benefit from an overhaul of workers’ rights as the Government’s landmark Employment Rights Bill returns to Parliament. Government issued Impact assessment shows the Employment Rights Bill will have a positive direct impact on economic growth Reforms means extra 30,000 new dads qualify for paternity leave Positive impacts … Continue reading Up to £600 cash boost for Britain’s lowest paid to help kickstart the economy
HMRC package At the Labour party conference (September 2024), Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlined a package of reforms to improve the UK’s tax system to help fix the foundations of the UK economy. As part of the package, HMRC will launch a consultation on electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) to promote its wider use across UK businesses and … Continue reading Closing the TAX GAP
New package of measures aimed at tackling scourge of late payments New Fair Payment Code and fresh rules on company reporting and major consultation unveiled as part of package to tackle late payments Scourge of late payments costs SMEs £22,000 a year with 56 million hours of lost productivity across the economy – acting as … Continue reading Crack down on late payments to support small businesses – Fair Payment Code
New analysis shows more than a million employees didn’t get any of the paid holiday they were entitled to last year – with BME employees hardest hitTUC Union body says failures on labour market enforcement have allowed bad bosses to exploit staff TUC launches its “five-point plan for enforcement” as new polling shows “huge … Continue reading Over 1.1 million employees denied their holiday pay rights
The Deputy Prime Minister and Business Secretary have met with business leaders to discuss the upcoming Employment Bill. In the latest series of meetings on the Make Work Pay plan, the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds hosted a Business Breakfast on Tuesday 3rd September 2024 to discuss the upcoming legislation. … Continue reading Business leaders will be involved in “every step of the way” in Make Work Pay plans
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
We’re changing the way the Minimum Wage is set so it keeps in line with the cost of living. What changes are being made to the Minimum Wage? The government are changing the way the Minimum Wage is set so it keeps in line with the cost of living. For the first time, the Low … Continue reading Minimum Wage changes
Work to tackle Covid loan abuse revealed in Insolvency Service’s Annual Report and Accounts More than 830 directors banned following Covid loan abuse in 2023-24 Steps taken towards the recovery of almost £3m for the taxpayer Statistics released in service’s Annual Report and Accounts, which presents a snapshot of work carried out in 2023-24 Latest … Continue reading Tackling COVID loan abuse
Lees of Scotland are another retailer caught out by the complex National Minimum Wage regulations and their efforts to help employees via a salary deduction savings scheme which they operated for over 30 years. Well known for their manufacture of teacakes, snowballs and macaroons, Lees operated a savings scheme where its workers voluntarily paid contributions … Continue reading Minimum wage and the Payroll Savings scheme dilemma!
The practice of dismissing and re-engaging employees – sometimes referred to as fire and rehire – as a means of changing their terms and conditions of employment can cause conflict between employers, employees and trade unions. The new code which is now in place sets out employers’ responsibilities when seeking to change contractual terms and … Continue reading Dismissal and re-engagement: code of practice
As part of the new Labour governments proposed 40 bills which formed part of the Kings Speech delivered on Wednesday 17th July 2024, was the inclusion of proposed changes to National Minimum Wage, forming part of the first 100 days commitment. My Government is committed to making work pay….Kings Speech 2024 The new government has … Continue reading Minimum Wage Revolution – is it about to happen?