Articles and information in relation to UK Payroll for business, employers and employees.
The student loans system was supposed to be a safe and fair way for everyone who seeks further education to get the funds they need. It may come as a shock to some, but women on maternity leave in the UK who are paying off their student loans still accrue interest when they are on … Continue reading Do Student Loans discriminate against mothers?
NEW TUC POLLING: 1 in 7 women (14%) have lost their job - or felt forced to leave their job - due to expecting a child or becoming a parent. Over one in five women (21%) who have or are expecting a child also report unfair treatment at work. More than 1 in 10 new fathers (14%) also report experiencing unfair treatment at work. The … Continue reading Number of new and expectant parents losing their job or facing unfair treatment at work “alarmingly high”
The RT Hon Lord Hermer KVC On Thursday 8th May 2025, the Attorney General Lord Hermer KC delivered the Thompson Foundation Lecture on “Employment law and the fundamental right to security” Introduction Thank you very much for this opportunity to celebrate the remarkable legacy of Thompsons Solicitors, a firm that has been a beacon of … Continue reading Thompsons Lecture: Employment law and the fundamental right to security
A dedicated community support will deliver justice for victims of the Windrush scandal, ensure they have their voices heard and receive deserved compensation. Victims of the Home Office Windrush scandal will receive crucial support to access the compensation they deserve under a £1.5 million fund launched by the government today. The Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund (WCASF) … Continue reading £1.5 million fund to support Windrush compensation applicants
Call for evidence launched to will enable business, trade unions and civil society to shape action helping everyone, no matter their background, to thrive under the government's Plan for Change. Responses will support consideration of a range of areas, including steps to make the right to equal pay effective for women, people from ethnic minority … Continue reading Call for evidence to break down barriers to opportunity at work
Equal Pay Day Wednesday 20th November 2024 was marked as Equal Pay Day, a national campaign led by the Fawcett Society. This day marks the point in the year when, based on the gender pay gap, women overall in the UK stop being paid compared to men. Commenting on the Fawcett Society’s Equal Pay Day, … Continue reading Women’s pay and equality
Victims of modern slavery will be better supported in fresh measures unveiled by the government. The government has pledged to eradicate the backlog of decisions on modern slavery cases within 2 years, giving thousands of women, men and children who may have suffered traumatic sexual, physical and economic abuse the clarity needed to assist with … Continue reading Fresh measures to support victims of Modern slavery
From 26th October 2024 employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their workers, including by third parties Equality regulator EHRC publishes new guidance supporting employers to meet new legal obligations Employers must be proactive in assessing risk, identifying action and regularly review their processes. The Equality Act 2010 defines sexual harassment as … Continue reading New employer duties to protect workers from sexual harassment
The Labour government has unveiled the Employment Rights Bill in their effort to help deliver economic security and growth to businesses, workers and communities across the UK. Legislation introduced in Parliament to upgrade workers’ rights across the UK, tackle poor working conditions and benefit businesses and workers alike Ahead of International Investment Summit, the government … Continue reading Employment rights reforms revealed
The independent Inclusion at Work Panel has published a report (20th March 2024) on the state of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) business practices in the UK. Expert panel sets out how employers can move beyond ineffective diversity and inclusion practices New research finds employers aren’t properly equipped to implement EDI policies that are based … Continue reading End ineffective business equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) practices
Source: PAYE RTI from HMRC The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates for February 2024 indicate that the number of payrolled employees rose by 1.2% compared with February 2023, a rise of 368,000 employees. This annual increase was largest in the health and social work sector, a rise of 210,000 employees. Payrolled employment increased by … Continue reading Payroll pays 30.4 million employees
What NMW protection is there for domestic workers Workers who live-in within the family home of their employer and who are treated as a family member, not charged for accommodation or food, under National Minimum Wage Regulations 57(1). It defines that the term “work” does not include any work done in relation to an employer’s … Continue reading National Minimum Wage to be extended to live-in domestic workers
Private Members’ Bill to help millions save more into their pension and start saving sooner has cleared Parliament and been granted Royal Assent The Bill introduces powers to reduce the age for automatic enrolment and starts pension saving from the first pound earned. Since 2012, Automatic Enrolment has transformed pension saving, with around 11 million … Continue reading Pension AE changes on the way – but when?
New TUC analysis reveals disabled workers are much more likely to be low paid than non-disabled workers Disabled women and disabled workers in the North of England and Wales are more likely to earn less Union body says government must ‘’stamp out’’ insecure work and calls for minimum wage to increase to £15 per hour … Continue reading 7 in 10 disabled workers earn less than £15 an hour
More time is given to pay National Insurance contributions towards State Pension. Taxpayers now have until 5th April 2025 to fill gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006 that may increase their State Pension - an extension of nearly 2 years. Extending the voluntary National Insurance contributions deadline until 2025 means that people … Continue reading Deadline for voluntary National Insurance contributions extended to April 2025
Universal Credit’s maximum childcare payments will rise nearly 50% – up to £1,630 per month – from 28th June 2023. Additional support worth up to £522 a month for families Many parents will get help from DWP immediately with their first bill – instead of in arrears – to help them manage their budgets Comes alongside plans … Continue reading Massive boost for childcare
Parents and carers to be given new protections at work, covering leave entitlement and redundancy rules New rights derive from three Government backed cross party bills that have now been granted royal assent This follows a wave of wins for workers this year after a record National Minimum Wage uplift and measures to ensure staff … Continue reading Wins for parents and carers workers rights
Ethnicity pay reporting is one of the tools employers can use to build transparency and trust among their employees. The UK workforce is becoming increasingly diverse but there is still more to be done to remove barriers to entering the labour market and to ensure pay and progression in the workplace is fair for all … Continue reading Ethnicity pay reporting: guidance for employers
Employers are being encouraged to better support women experiencing the menopause as the Government today appointed England’s first ever Menopause Employment Champion. Helen Tomlinson appointed new Menopause Employment Champion and calls on more employers to develop menopause policies One in four women experiencing menopause are reported to have considered leaving their job due to symptoms … Continue reading Government appoints first Menopause Employment Champion to improve workplace support
The DWP has signed the Age-friendly Employer Pledge, a nationwide programme run by the Centre for Ageing Better to promote age inclusive working practices. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recognises the immense benefit that a multigenerational workforce brings and will encourage other government departments and employers to sign up. Permanent Secretary Peter Schofield … Continue reading DWP leads way supporting people aged over 50 at work
More women will be helped back into the workplace following the launch of a Government-backed training programme. Women facing work barriers due to caring to be helped back to careers Minister for Women and Equalities invests in pilot to get returners into STEM 43% of STEM vacancies are hard to fill; women make up 29.4% … Continue reading More women to be supported back into STEM jobs
Sixteen organisations across England will receive share of £1.97 million from the government to support women experiencing reproductive health issues in the workplace. Funding follows successful applications to this year’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Health and Wellbeing Fund Money will help women to remain in or return to the workplace through and following pregnancy, … Continue reading £1.97 million awarded to support women in the workplace
Following the governments Autumn Statement on 17th November 2022 and indication that benefits would rise by 10.1%, it has been confirmed that the standard rate for: Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP) And Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (SPBP) will increase from the current £156.66 to … Continue reading Statutory Parental Payment increased by 10.1% from April 2023 to £172.48
New laws introduced entitling unpaid carers to 1 week of unpaid leave a year. new laws introduced entitling unpaid carers to 1 week of unpaid leave a year to support those most in need eligible employees will be able to take Carer’s Leave regardless of how long they have worked for their employer Millions of … Continue reading Boost for carers who will receive new unpaid leave entitlement
New government-backed law to offer pregnant women and new parents greater protection against redundancy new government-backed law to offer pregnant women and new parents greater protection against redundancy new legal powers will help to counter workplace discrimination, particularly when new parents return to work Pregnant women and new parents will receive greater protections from redundancy … Continue reading Government backs new law to help pregnant women and new parents stay in work
Statement by Richard Croker, UK Ambassador to the General Assembly, at the Third Committee meeting on advancement of women. Thank you Mr Chair, Multiple and interconnected barriers are preventing women and girls from reaching their full potential. Where women and girls are unable to reach their potential, whole countries suffer. We know that when we … Continue reading When we challenge discrimination and progress gender equality, everybody benefits
All new public buildings should have separate male and female toilets, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced on 4th July 2022. The approach will mean women, who may need to use facilities more often for example because of pregnancy and sanitary needs, have appropriate facilities. The move follows a call for evidence which gathered … Continue reading Public buildings to have separate male and female toilets
Chloe Smith, Minister for Disabled People statement to UN General Assembly Location: New York - Delivered on: 14th June 2022 Transcript as delivered Thank you Chair. The UK is committed to implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This is through legislation like the Equality Act 2010 and the new British … Continue reading We want to help people start, stay and succeed in work
Statement by Baroness Deborah Stedman-Scott, Minister for Women at the 66th UN Commission on the Status of Women. Madam Chair, I want to begin my statement by addressing the situation in Ukraine. Russia’s assault on Ukraine is an unprovoked, premeditated attack against a sovereign democratic state. The UK and our international partners stand united in … Continue reading UK’s commitment to the rights of women and girls
Minister for Women, Baroness Stedman-Scott, launches initiatives to level up employment opportunities for womenParticipating employers will run pilots aimed at closing salary gaps by publishing salaries on all job advertsNew ‘returners’ programme to support women into STEM roles after taking time out to care for loved ones Minister for Women, Baroness Stedman-Scott, has launched two … Continue reading Pay transparency pilot to break down barriers for women
New package of support to help thousands of disabled people into work as Government builds back fairer.15 Jobcentre Plus sites to trial framework to become more autism-friendly.26,000 work coaches are undergoing accessibility training to improve jobcentre services for disabled people. Thousands more disabled people are set to benefit from a new package of support designed … Continue reading Support to help more disabled people into work
Hundreds of disabled university students are set to benefit from a new ‘passport’ scheme that will support them as they move into work. The Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Access to Work Adjustment Passport is to help ease the transition from university into employment by reducing the need for repeated health assessments. A pilot … Continue reading ‘Passport’ to help disabled graduates get in to employment
Menopausal women are the fastest growing demographic in the workforce, and this Older Workers Week (22nd – 28th November), Minister for Employment Mims Davies is calling on employers to strengthen their support to keep millions in work. With almost one in four women cutting their careers short because of the menopause, the Minister has called … Continue reading Employers urged to help un-pause the careers of women in menopause
ACAS remind business that they should take steps to prevent workplace bullying. Employers and managers should do everything possible to prevent toxic behaviour in the workplace. ACAS have produced and made available resources to assist with: Discrimination, bullying and harassment PAYadvice.UK 23/11/2021
“The new appointment will bolster government’s continued efforts to protect and enhance workers’ rights while stamping out workplace exploitation” Margaret Beels appointed as new Director of Labour Market EnforcementBeels will set strategic direction for labour market enforcement bodies and will oversee an annual assessment of the scale and nature of workplace non-compliance Margaret Beels OBE … Continue reading Margaret Beels appointed as Director of Labour Market Enforcement
Social Mobility Commission (SMC) launches a new sector specific toolkit to encourage socio-economic diversity and inclusion in the creative sector workforce. A new toolkit aimed at widening access to the creative industries for people from working class backgrounds has been launched to tackle a ‘class crisis’ in the sector. The Socio-economic Diversity and Inclusion: toolkit … Continue reading Employers welcome guidance to tackle ‘class crisis’ in creative industries
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 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
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
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
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
UK National Statement at the 65th Commission on the Status of Women by Baroness Berridge Chair, As we reflect on the past year we must acknowledge the pandemic and its effect on all our lives. Globally, COVID-19 has worsened many of the challenges already faced by women and girls and we must now look ahead … Continue reading Building back better and fairer for women and girls around the world
A new poll by the Social Mobility Commission reveals a growing gulf between social classes and a mental health crisis that needs to be addressed. Nearly six in ten people believe the pandemic has increased the gulf between social classes, according to a new poll from the Social Mobility Commission. The Social Mobility Barometer, 2021, … Continue reading Most people believe inequality has increased due to the pandemic