Articles and information in relation to UK Payroll for business, employers and employees.
Payroll compliance rarely comes down to one person. But when the rules change, the questions multiply, and the pressure is on, having the right answers matters. On the latest episode of Payroll Question Time, Steve Yardley is joined by Mathew Akrigg MCIPPdip MAAT, Jeni Morris - NMW Specialist, Karen Thomson ChFCIPP MSc FHEA Dip, P … Continue reading Payroll Question Time – Payroll Podcast
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
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
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
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 a result of the Employment Rights Bill currently going through parliament and anticipated as something that will be passed, workers will receive the right to receive payment from their employers if shifts are cancelled, moved, or curtailed at short notice. As part of Budget 2025, the HMRC, In line with existing legislation relating to … Continue reading Tax on cancelled, moved or curtailed shifts
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
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
£6 million repaid to workers as Government cracks down on employers underpaying their staff Nearly 500 employers fined over £10 million for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage. £6 million put back into the pockets of working people as Government delivers the biggest overhaul of workers’ rights in a generation, as part of its … Continue reading Another 491 employers fined £10million+ for National Minimum Wage breach
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
Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat commit to further strengthening security checks on delivery riders to prevent illegal working in the gig economy. Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat are to strengthen verification checks on delivery riders to clamp down on illegal working, following talks with the government. The commitment comes after ministers convened the … Continue reading Delivery firms to bolster efforts to stop illegal working
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
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
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
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
The Employment Rights Bill will ban exploitative zero-hours contracts, end fire and rehire, and introduce basic employment rights from day one. The government are introducing new workplace rights to end unfair employment practices and help deliver economic growth. The Employment Rights Bill will ban exploitative zero-hours contracts, end fire and rehire, and introduce basic employment rights from day one - like paternity and parental leave, and … Continue reading What does the Employment Rights Bill mean for you?
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 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
As part of the Kings Speech delivered on Wednesday 17th July 2924, the Starmer Labour government set out its intention to extend rights with the Employment Rights Bill. My government is committed to making work pay and will legislate to introduce a new deal for working people to ban exploitative practices and enhance employment rights. … Continue reading Employment Rights Bill
Amongst a long list of 40 government proposed bills (more even than Tony Blair’s government) as part of the Kings Speech held on Wednesday 17th July 2024, included was the the progression of a new bill to cover workers rights: 'My Government is committed to making work pay and will legislate to introduce a new … Continue reading Kings Speech – employment rights and pensions
With the Labour party winning with a significant majority and forming a new UK government, changes to employment and payroll law will be easier than experienced by prior governments. Tax and NICs Whilst there is an aim for stabilising the UK economy, Labour promised to not increase existing PAYE income tax rate or National Insurance. … Continue reading Labour win – payroll and HR impacts
Salary sacrifice schemes have become increasingly popular, often generated by employer efforts to save secondary National Insurance contributions with employers saving 13.8% in employment on costs. They have become a popular vehicle for offering various employment related reward strategies with popular use for: Pensions Cycle to Work Schemes Childcare Vouchers (although restricted with no new … Continue reading Salary Sacrifice and Minimum Pay : benefit or a risk too far
Many employers and even payroll professionals have welcomed what some claim is a return of the 12.07% holiday pay method of operation which was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court as not meeting the requirements of the Working Time Regulations (WTR) and the Employment Rights Act (ERA) method of calculating the weekly average earnings for … Continue reading New Holiday Pay 12.07% – not as easy as you think!
Festive workers who may be missing out on the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage are being urged to check their pay. Seasonal staff and students on short-term contracts over the Christmas period, including those working in shops, hotels, Christmas markets, garden centres, restaurants and warehouses, are legally entitled to the same minimum rates … Continue reading Had a Christmas job? Check your pay!
As part of the Autumn Statement announcements on Wednesday 22nd November 2023, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed a new measure which will require businesses to change the information they provide for both income tax self-assessment and real-time returns completed by employers. So these changes will impact the Real Time Information (RTI) Full Payment … Continue reading Paid Worked Hours on FPS!
For holiday years starting on or after 1st April 2024, Employers will be permitted to calculate annual leave entitlement as 12.07% of the hours worked in a pay period for irregular hours workers and part-year workers in the first year of employment and beyond. This does not apply to workers with regular hours who continue … Continue reading Rolled Up Holiday Pay choice for Employers
In a TUC blog and news article by Anjum Klair for the Trades Union Congress (TUC) - BME women far more likely to be on zero-hours contracts Analysis shows Black and minority ethnic (BME) women are nearly three times as likely to be on zero-hours contracts than white men. The TUC warns that “structural racism … Continue reading ‘End the scourge of insecure work’ – TUC
Workers right across the country will be given more say over their working patterns thanks to new laws supported by the Department for Business and Trade. Millions of workers will have a say over their working patterns as Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill achieves Royal Assent. Government-backed law gives all workers the legal right … Continue reading Millions to get more power over working hours
Living Hours scheme marks 100 sign-ups as inflation continues to soar 100 UK employers have now committed to provide secure and stable working hours with the Living Wage Foundation’s Living Hours scheme Over 50,000 workers stand to benefit from Living Hours measures so far Committed employers include Aviva, SpareRoom, and Wealthify The living Hours movement … Continue reading 100 UK Employers Commit to Tackle Insecure Work
Six Million Face Cost of Living Crisis in Insecure Jobs, with Health and Social Care Workers Worst Affected More than 6 million UK workers are in insecure work, with 3.4 million who are in both low paid insecure jobs The majority (59%) of all shift workers have received less than a week’s notice of their … Continue reading Flexibility for who? Variable shift work not so convenient for employees!
Change to data HMRC collects HMRC has indicated that proposed change in law will likely require employers to report more detailed work hours from April 2025. As part of ‘Change to data HMRC collects from customers’ published on 18th July, the proposal outlines three new compulsory data requirements with a failure to provide resulting in … Continue reading Worked Hours reporting change on its way?
How many bank or public holidays are there? In the calendar year there are usually 8 standard bank or public holidays in England and Wales. However, in 2022 there were two additional days for the Platinum Jubilee and the Queens funeral. To add further complexity, Christmas and a new Year fell on weekends so alternate … Continue reading Bank Holidays – What are my rights?
Law will combat ‘one-sided flexibility’, where workers are often on standby for work that never comes Friday 3rd February 2023, the government supported Blackpool South MP Scott Benton’s Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill, which will bring forward changes for tens of millions of workers across the UK. The move, which would apply to all … Continue reading New law gives more say over working hours
The Government are seeking views on proposals to pro-rata holiday entitlement for part-year and irregular hours workers based on the annual hours they work. Following the Supreme Court judgement in Harpur Trust v Brazel, the government are consulting on the calculation of holiday entitlement received by part-year and irregular hours workers. Presently all workers are … Continue reading Calculating holiday entitlement for part-year and irregular hours workers
Commenting on the labour market figures published by the ONS, which show real wages falling by 4.1 per cent (on CPI measure) as the cost of living crisis intensifies, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Everyone who works deserves financial security. “But with the Bank of England predicting the worst decline in real pay for … Continue reading TUC calls on ministers to get pay rising, as real wages fall again