Articles and information in relation to UK Payroll for business, employers and employees.
The DWP and DHSC Joint Work and Health Directorate have updated form SSP1 on 12th October 2026 with an added reason for use by employers for non-payment of SSP. This relates to the changes introduced from 6th April 2026 where waiting days and earnings tests were removed. The form has been adjusted to include an … Continue reading SSP1 form updates – zero average earnings exclusion
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
From Monday 18th May 2026, a new registration requirement for tax advisers will roll out. New mandatory tax adviser registration requirements is claimed to protect customers and raise standards in tax advice. Online registration will roll out in stages between 18th May 2026 and 31st March 2027. Registration is free, and step-by-step guidance is available … Continue reading Check if you need to register as a Tax adviser – that includes payroll
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 April 2026 edition of Employer Bulletin … Continue reading Employer Bulletin: April 2026
Statutory Sick Pay: record sheet (SSP2) has been updated to reflect changes brought in by the Employment Rights Act 2025, to remove the waiting period before SSP can be made. Employers can use form SSP2 to record details of an employee’s sickness absences for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and monitor the use of the 28 … Continue reading Statutory Sick Pay record sheet update
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
Wishing PAYadvice Ltd a very happy 7th Birthday. On 9th April 2019 PAYadvice Ltd was registered with companies house and there lays the birth of PAYadvice.UK. What was originally a WordPress side-hobby has become a registered and regulated business providing regular speed blog for all things Payroll, employment and beyond. PAYadvice.UK has seen its active … Continue reading Happy 7th Birthday PAYadvice.UK – reaching 1 million hits
Landmark employment rights reforms kick into force. Millions of employees to benefit from reforms to Statutory Sick Pay, ensuring they can take time off when sick without worrying about going without pay. New rights to paternity leave from the first day in a new job, helping families balance work and home life. Changes are part of the Employment Rights Act, which will benefit … Continue reading Millions get new access to sick pay and parental leave
Here it is again, the start of a New Tax Year. Often when meeting with payroll and tax professionals from overseas, they wonder why the United Kingdom tax year commences on 6th April annually. Why is that when so many countries around the world celebrate both the new year and the tax year on 1st … Continue reading Happy New (Tax) Year 2026
(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
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
taking action to help families with the cost of living The government claim they know that families across the country are feeling the impact of the cost of living - it’s the number one issue impacting working people. It’s why they say they are taking action to reduce everyday costs, whether it’s freezing rail fares … Continue reading Help with the cost of living in 2026
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has provided an update to their transitional protection guidance (version 3) via the HMRC Software Developers Support Team. The update is regarding Statutory Sick Pay Transitional Protections for the Employment Rights Act measures coming in from April 2026. “Following final review of Government issued information ahead of implementation, … Continue reading Statutory Sick Pay transitional guidance further updates (v3)
Treasury Minister Chris Thomas MHK emphasised financial discipline and investment in services alongside a substantial rise in the personal allowance while unveiling his first Budget in Tynwald on Tuesday 17th February 2026. … Today I am pleased to announce an increase in the personal tax allowance from April of £2,250 so that individuals will start … Continue reading Isle of Man Budget 2026 changes tax, National Insurance and Minimum Wage
HMRC are introducing the requirements to register in stages. From 18th May 2026, HMRC will introduce an online registration system for agent services accounts to register as tax adviserz. If a payroll service already has an agent services account, they will not need to register again. However, HMRC will contact them through the agent services … Continue reading Payroll services to register as Tax Advisers and have AML responsibilities
The 'Specification for PAYE tax table routines' has been updated to version 24.0 (February 2026). HM Revenue and Customs have issued, on Wednesday 11th February 2026, the updated specification for Income which reflect the adjusted parameter values for Scottish Income Tax. The values for England, Northern Ireland and Wales remain frozen. PAYErout-v24-0Download Part of Tax … Continue reading Payroll technical specifications: Income Tax April 2026
HMRC as part of the February edition of the Employer Bulletin is reminding employers to get ready for the changes introduced as part of the Employment Rights Act. The Employment Rights Bill became law on 18th December 2025 and is now the Employment Rights Act 2025. Employers should start getting ready now for changes that … Continue reading Implementation of the Employment Rights Act
The February edition of the HMRC Employers Bulletin out lines the changes to Statutory Sick Pay which applies from 6th April 2026 and forms one of the measures from the Employment Right Act 2025. PAYadvice.UK has published a series of articles and resource pages (see below links) on the changes which are to soon come … Continue reading Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) changes — what employers need to know
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 February 2026 edition of Employer Bulletin … Continue reading Employer Bulletin: February 2026
Monday 9th February 2026, the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) have further clarified added areas of transitional arrangements with the new SSP rules that commence from 6th April 2026. The DWP issues a further update to the transitional guidance on Tuesday 10th March 2026 Prior guidance has been confirmed: Calculating 80% average weekly earnings … Continue reading Added Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) transitional guidance
HMRC have issued the following (edited) information on Wednesday 21st January 2026, effective for payments from 6th April 2026. Dear PAYadvice.UK, Change to Small Employers Relief rate Employers can currently reclaim 92% of employees’ Statutory Maternity, Statutory Paternity, Statutory Adoption, Statutory Parental Bereavement, Statutory Neonatal Care and Statutory Shared Parental Pay. If a business has … Continue reading Small Employers Relief increased to 9%
(c)2025 Photo by PSP The HMRC issued the following (edited) information on Friday 16th January 2026 confirming the U.K. tax rates applicable from 6th April 2026 (some aspects subject to final parliamentary approval). Dear PAYadvice.UK Following the Scottish Budget announcement, we can provide the following Income Tax information for 2026-2027. Details for Wales, England and … Continue reading Payroll 2026-2027: Allowances, Rates and Thresholds – updates on Income Tax
New day one rights to parental leave set to enter force from April 2026. Over 18 million workers across the UK are expected to benefit from stronger protections at work, with most insecure workers set to gain the most. New day one rights from April 2026 confirmed for parental leave, whilst bereaved partners set to gain further rights to paternity leave. Changes are claimed … Continue reading Stronger working rights to give millions of families the “security they deserve”
Majority of [Scottish] taxpayers will pay less income tax than in rest of the UK. Changes to the basic and intermediate rate income tax thresholds will protect lower-income households in 2026-27, Finance Secretary Shona Robison has announced. She also confirmed there would be no changes to rates or the number of tax bands in the … Continue reading Scottish Budget 2026 – Income Tax
Following the passing of the Employment Rights Bill and the Royal Ascent of the Employment Rights Act on Thursday 18th December 2025, one of the major changes are the new rights to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from Monday 6th April 2026 (Easter Monday). The Statutory Sick Pay measures include: Removing the Lower Earnings Limit to … Continue reading New Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – what is the 80% rate?
Following the passing of the Employment Rights Bill and the Royal Ascent of the Employment Rights Act on Thursday 18th December 2025, one of the major changes are the new rights to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from Monday 6th April 2026 (Easter Monday). The Statutory Sick Pay measures include: Removing the Lower Earnings Limit to … Continue reading New Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Transitional Protection April 2026
The HMRC have issued the RD1 Specification for employer substitute form P60 and e P60 for the tax year 2026 to 2027. In addition to changing the tax year, the reference to tax credits has been removed and reference to Pension Credit has been added. April 2026 sees the introduction of Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay … Continue reading 2026/2027 P60 & eP60 substitute adjustments
Revenue Jersey have confirmed various values that relate to payroll. They issued the following on Monday 15th December 2025. The minimum earnings threshold applicable from 1st January 2026 in relation to Class 1 are: And the Class 1 thresholds applicable from 1St January 2026: Part of Tax Year 2026/2027 resources PAYadvice.UK 17/12/2025
The Collection of Student Loans consultation group has confirmed since all the repayment thresholds for 2026/2027 have been confirmed and announced. (c)2025 PAYadvice Ltd The hierarchy setting out the applicable repayment threshold to apply when a borrower holds multiple plan types is set out in the attached plan type hierarchy matrix. (C)2025 PAYadvice Ltd New … Continue reading Multiple Student Loan Plan type hierarchy agreed
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
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 December 2025 edition of Employer Bulletin … Continue reading Employer Bulletin: December 2025
The HMRC Software Developer Support Team have kindly issued the new adjusted HMRC ‘New Starter Checklist’ to software developers to aid preparation for the 2026/2027 tax year. This new format comes into operation for payroll paying from 6th April 2026. Many years ago these were referenced as a P46 and that name continues to sometimes … Continue reading 2026/2027 New Starter Checklist – getting prepared
The government are progressing the Employment Rights Bill through Parliament. Although some elements are being ping ponged between the commons and the Lords, a number of measures are agreed. One such measure is the change to Statutory Sick Pay from 6th April 2026. Statutory Sick Pay Reform As part of a number of initiatives to … Continue reading Day 1 sick pay for all going ahead
Payroll 2026-27: Allowances, Rates and Thresholds from April 2026 Dear PAYadvice.UK Following the Autumn Budget of 26 Ltd November 2025, we can confirm the following information for payroll 2026-27. Where details are not currently known, these are marked as TBA. We will provide a further update as soon as we can. We will also provide … Continue reading HMRC confirm most of the 2026/2027 values for software
Following the UK budget on 26th November 2025 which applied a freeze of tax bands and rates, potentially until 5th April 2031, it’s time to catch-up on what is happening with the Welsh Income Tax applicable from 6th April 2026 for the 2026/2027 tax year. As part of the Welsh draft budget preparation announced on … Continue reading 2026/2027 Welsh Rate of Income Tax
As part of budget 2025, Rachel Reeves announced a freeze of National Insurance thresholds and rates until April 2031. Well not everything was frozen, it was after confirmed that the National Insurance Contributions (NICs) Lower Earnings Limit (LEL), the point where individual start accruing state benefit rights, would rise by +£4 to a new £129 … Continue reading Budget 2025 – National Insurance freeze!
What are umbrella companies? Umbrella companies are employment intermediaries that employ workers on behalf of agencies and end clients. Many umbrella companies operate diligently, supporting their employees and providing convenience and administrative benefits for agencies. Some appear to be involved in tax avoidance However, too many are used to facilitate non-compliance including tax avoidance and … Continue reading Umbrellas — rules to tackle non-compliance
I have concluded my statutory annual review of …. benefit rates under the Social Security Administration Act 1992. The new rates will apply in the tax year 2026-27, with most increases coming into effect from 6 April 2026. …. benefit rates covered by my statutory review will be increased by 3.8%, in line with the … Continue reading April 2026 Statutory payment rates announced
Extend employer National Insurance contributions veteran’s relief In April 2021, a National Insurance contributions (NICs) relief for employers that hire former members of the UK regular armed forces was introduced. This brought in an NIC category of ‘V’. The veteran’s relief was due to end on 5th April 2026 but the government have announced that it … Continue reading Budget 2025 – Veterans NIC relief extended
Employees who are required to work from home to perform the duties of their employment are entitled to tax relief on their actual costs under section 336 ITEPA2003. Section 336 ITEPA allows for a deduction from earnings for allowable expenses that meet certain criteria that is set out within legislation. As an administrative easement, HMRC allowed eligible employees … Continue reading Budget 2025 – Working from home relief abolished
(c)2023 PSP The Department for Education… (26th November 2025) confirmed annual updates to repayment thresholds for Plan 2 and Plan 3 [Postgraduate] Income Contingent Student Loans. Income Contingent Student Loans for Plan 2 (2012-2023) undergraduate loans The income threshold and the lower interest rate threshold for repayment of Plan 2 loans to apply from April … Continue reading Student Loans Repayment Threshold Announcement for Plan 2 and Post Graduate loans for April 2026
Budget 2025 speech as delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves - 26th November 2025 Madame Deputy Speaker. It is my understanding that the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook was released on their website before this statement. This is deeply disappointing and a serious error on their part. The Office for Budget Responsibility has … Continue reading Budget 2025 speech
(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
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
Half a million workers are set for a pay boost as over 16,000 employers are signed up to pay the real Living Wage, including IKEA, Everton FC and Aviva. Popular high-street retailer Uniqlo is the latest to announce it is joining the Living Wage movement. The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate independently calculated based on what is needed to … Continue reading Real Living Wage Rates Increase to £13.45 in UK and £14.80 in London
Originally started in readiness for 2021, PAYadvice.UK are constructing its popular PAYadvice Series Legislation Update 2026 for payroll. We believe that PAYadvice was the first organisation in the UK to bring together the various resources needed by payroll professional and payroll software developers in preparation for the April 2021 through April 2025 changes, even to … Continue reading Legislation updates 2026 for payroll
On Wednesday 3rd September 2025, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the date of the Budget will be held on Wednesday 26th November 2025 and has commissioned the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) to prepare an economic and fiscal forecast. Budget to address economy that’s “not working well enough for working people” In a video message, … Continue reading Autumn 2025 budget date announced
The HMRC Collection of Student Loan - consultation group meeting held on Tuesday 2nd September 2025, has shared and confirmed the student Plan Type 4 (Scotland) threshold applicable from 6th April 2026. This information will be additional announced at a later point by the Scottish Parliament, they have confirmed that there is no restriction in … Continue reading Student Loan Plan 4 (Scotland) threshold for April 2026 confirmed
The Department for Education on 19th August 2025 confirmed annual updates repayment thresholds for Plan 1 and Plan 5 Income Contingent Student Loans. Income Contingent Repayment Student Loans Undergraduate loans Income Contingent Student Loans for Plan 1 (1998-2012) undergraduate loans The repayment threshold for Plan 1 loans will rise to £26,900 from 6 April 2026 … Continue reading Student Loans Repayment Threshold confirmed for Plan 1 and 5
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
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
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have confirmed the intention Payroll Service providers to be registered along with other Tax Advisers from 1st April 2026 New requirements are being introduced for all tax advisers to register with HMRC and meet minimum standards. So who are tax advisers According to the UK government, Tax advisers are those … Continue reading Payroll Service providers to be registered from April 2026
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
The Government have published the Employment Rights Bill Implementation Roadmap, setting out timelines for measures in the Bill coming into effect. Comprehensive roadmap for Employment Rights Bill to raise living standards across the country whilst giving employers and workers the time to adapt. Sets out timelines for new landmark rights with 15 million, or half … Continue reading Roadmap confirms workers rights for 2026 and 2027
HM Revenue and Customs have published initial information as part of the June 2025 employer bulletin on changes that form part of the Plan to Make Work Pay, the Government is making changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). Through the Employment Rights Bill, the government are strengthening SSP to make sure that all employees have access to from … Continue reading Future of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – April 2026
The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Software Developer Support Team (SDST) have shared early information on changes to the data items on the Real Time Information (RTI) Employer Payment Submission (EPS), in relation to stake items now that the Employment Allowance is more generally available. Dear PAYadvice.UK, Please find below information regarding the Employment Allowance, … Continue reading Payroll 2026/2027 – removal of EPS ‘state aid’ items
The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Software Developer Support Team (SDST) have shared early information on changes applicable to statutory payment as operated for those who have employee who work in Northern Ireland. New rights and entitlements are now being applied by the Northern Ireland Assembly and will apply from April 2026. Dear PAYadvice.UK, Please … Continue reading Payroll 2026/2027 – Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (SPBP) – Northern Ireland
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Software Developers Support Team (SDST) have started to release change information that impacts payroll calculations from April 2026. This first area is the addition of undergraduate Student Loan Plan 5. The RTI instruction SL1 will start to indicate the use of Plan 5 in March 2026 in readiness for operating … Continue reading Payroll 2026/2027 – Student Loan Plan 5
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
A number of articles published via a news agencies and news outlets have implied that there were significant changes to the UK statutory sickness scheme from April 2025. However, this is not the case. Period of Incapacity to Work (PIW) Under current rules which continue, only periods of sickness lasting 4 or more calendar days … Continue reading Has Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) changed?
As part of announcements in the Spring Statement 2025, the government have launched a further consultation seeking views on whether HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) powers are effective in dealing with non-compliance facilitated by some tax advisers. It will be of particular interest to tax advisers, their clients or potential clients and tax and accountancy professional … Continue reading Tackling tax advisers facilitating non-compliance