Where children grow up in England is more likely to determine success or failure at school than in previous generations, a study suggests. The Social Market Foundation has examined test results of cohorts born in 1970 and 2000 and found regional differences have become much greater. Pupils' results are highest in London and lowest in Yorkshire and Humber. "Where you live has become much more important," said think tank director Emran Mian. The comparisons between the generations, based on school … [Read more...]
‘National crisis’ looming in teaching, unions warn
A "national crisis" in teacher numbers is looming, six unions representing teachers and school leaders in England and Wales have warned. Government limits to teachers' pay and "real terms cuts" to school budgets risk undermining standards, they warn. "Teachers need a pay rise," they urge, in a joint statement to the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB), which sets their pay. The government said it was attracting "the best and brightest" to teaching. Teachers' pay increases have been limited to 1% … [Read more...]
Government accused of downplaying tax changes
The Government is accused of downplaying the impact of tax changes that could leave nearly half a million workers at least £360 a year worse off. The construction workers’ union UCATT has seen an Inland Revenue policy document under-estimating the real impact of Chancellor George Osborne’s tax on travel expenses for workers employed by ‘umbrella companies.’ A union leader said the move shows the “utter contempt” the government has for the British worker. In an official paper released just before … [Read more...]
Teacher shortage means pupils travel to other school
Pupils in a primary school in Yorkshire will have to travel to another school for part of each day because of difficulties in recruiting a teacher. Easington Primary Academy pupils will be driven to another school for morning lessons in literacy and numeracy. The school said a long-term supply teacher had left earlier than expected and a replacement could not be found. But a Department for Education spokeswoman said there was no shortage of primary school teachers. Head teachers' organisations … [Read more...]
Schools in England spend £1.3bn on supply teachers
Schools in England struggling to recruit teachers are spending £1.3bn per year on supply staff, an increase of more than a quarter over two years, says the Labour Party. Shadow education secretary Lucy Powell says schools face "chronic shortages" of teachers and blamed the government for "talking down the profession". Last week head teachers warned MPs of deepening recruitment problems. The Department for Education said Labour's claims were "misleading". "The number and quality of teachers is at … [Read more...]
Heads warn MPs of teacher shortage
Schools in England face a deepening problem in recruiting enough teachers, head teachers are warning. The National Association of Head Teachers said 59% of schools advertising for teachers "struggled" to get applicants and a further 20% failed completely to appoint anyone. Russell Hobby, leader of the NAHT, said it was clear evidence of a "crisis". But the Department for Education said the number of teachers now stood "at an all-time high". Labour said it was "time the government shook … [Read more...]
Travel and subsistence expenses changes from April 2016
Following on from yesterday’s Finance Bill 2016, we now know that the Government has ignored the widespread warnings issued by industry bodies and has pushed ahead with its plans to cut travel and subsistence expenses for contractors, from April 2016, which, were as we expected. The main changes are as follows: • T&S expenses will not qualify for tax relief on “ordinary commuting” type expenses where an intermediary is involved unless the worker is not subject to (or the right of) … [Read more...]
Threat to public services posed by T&S changes highlighted by MPs
The threat posed to public services by cuts to contractor expenses has been highlighted in the House of Commons. Labour MP, Sir Alan Meale, described the attack on travel and subsistence expenses as “short-sighted” in an Early Day Motion (EDM). He was one of a raft of MPs contacted by constituents as part of trade body PRISM’s Yes2T&S campaign, devised to defeat the Chancellor’s proposals. Sir Alan, MP for Mansfield, tabled a motion calling for the consequences of the policy to be … [Read more...]
Payroll mistakes cost FTSE100 businesses up to £30m
According to research from PwC (PricewaterCooperhouse) payroll errors cost the average FTSE 100 company between £10m and £30m per year. This statistic forms part of the findings of PwC’s report ‘Making payroll pay: Managing risk and compliance in an unprecedented era of change’. With employment taxes now globally the largest source of government income, contributing on average 38% of the global total tax take and 43% of government revenues in the UK, payroll is coming under … [Read more...]
OSBORNE’S AUTUMN STATEMENT : WE STILL DON’T KNOW THE DETAILS OF THE RESTRICTIONS FOR TRAVEL & SUBSISTENCE!
OSBORNE'S AUTUMN STATEMENT : WE STILL DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS OF THE RESTRICTIONS FOR TRAVEL & SUBSISTENCE! GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE AUTUMN STATEMENT Although we already knew changes to Travel & Subsistence were afoot, we are no nearer to understanding what exactly these changes are and how they will affect the contracting sector. The Autumn Statement presented by George Osborne today, provided a brief statement surrounding Employment Intermediaries and Tax relief for travel and … [Read more...]