The government has announced the new minimum wage rates that will come into force from 1 April 2026. The new rates are as follows: Current rate New rate Aged 21 and over £12.21 £12.71 Aged 18 to 20 £10.00 £10.85 Aged under 18 £7.55 £8.00 Apprentice rate £7.55 £8.00 The new rates mean that … Read more
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the loss of our dear colleague and friend, Lydia Bradley, who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last week. Lydia was a valued and much-loved member of our team whose expertise, kindness, and dedication touched everyone she worked with. She was also, as many of … Read more
Managing payroll is one of the most critical yet time-consuming responsibilities for any business. It demands precision, compliance, and up-to-date knowledge of ever-changing HMRC regulations. However, many organisations still rely on internal payroll systems which are not only inefficient but also prone to costly mistakes. For businesses seeking greater accuracy, efficiency, and financial control, outsourcing … Read more
Payroll compliance is essential for any UK business. It’s not just about paying your team on time; it’s about adhering to a complex web of regulations that, if ignored, can lead to significant HMRC penalties and unhappy employees. Staying on top of payroll compliance can be a daunting task, but understanding and avoiding the most … Read more
When it comes to payroll, many UK business owners believe keeping it in-house is the cheapest option. But once you factor in time, training, and compliance risks, the hidden costs of payroll can far outweigh the savings. The Time Drain Payroll isn’t just pressing a button each month. It’s: Collecting and checking timesheets Calculating holiday … Read more
One of the drawbacks of being self-employed is the lack of employee benefits, like sick pay and holiday pay. However, some self-employed people are entitled to self-employed holiday pay if they’re classed as workers or employees, which may be the case if they have a contract to do work personally, or work through an agency … Read more
In its latest round of investigations, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have named 518 employers who have failed to pay the National Living or National Minimum Wage correctly to their staff. A total of £7.4 million will be paid by these employers to almost 60,000 workers. In addition, the employers face financial penalties of up … Read more
The government recently announced a delay in making the payrolling of most benefits in kind (BiKs) and expenses mandatory, so that this will now take effect from 6 April 2027 as opposed to 6 April 2026 as previously announced. This gives businesses more time to get familiar with the procedures and requirements that will come … Read more
In England and Wales, there are typically eight bank holidays each year: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, two May bank holidays, the August bank holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Occasionally, an extra bank holiday is granted for special events, such as Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee or the coronation of King Charles … Read more
The Department for Education have released details of additional flexibility coming to apprenticeships. When adult learners over the age of 19 start their apprenticeship course, businesses will now be able to decide whether they need to complete a level 2 English and Maths qualification (equivalent to a GCSE) in order to pass the course. The … Read more