How is the National Living Wage is expected to affect employers? Since Osborne’s announcement during the Summer Budget of the introduction of the National Living Wage due to roll out in April 2016, there has been mixed feedback from employers across all sectors. With some leading household companies such as Lidi, Starbucks and Amazon, already introducing the National Living Wage increase, others are left considering the true impact this will have on their business. The professional body for HR … [Read more...]
NHS criticised by recruitment trade bodies after rush to action shift work cap
NHS criticised by recruitment trade bodies after rush to action shift work cap. Leading recruitment industry trade bodies REC & APSCo have criticised government, after the NHS have been provided with insufficient time to introduce changed contracts, that comply with the new cap on the amount recruiters can charge per shift for NHS agency workers. The change in contract to comply with the new cap, is due to be implemented gradually from 23 November 2015, after consultations closed on Friday … [Read more...]
The future of IR35
Thoughts surrounding governments plans for the future of IR35 After two leading newspapers reported shocking news surrounding the future of IR35, trade body ASPCo have voiced their views on this hot topic. The article published by both the Guardian and Daily Mirror, discloses governments ministers thoughts surrounding IR35. It seems that ministers are considering all contractors working with a client for over one month must be placed onto the books. We have seen mixed reaction from the public, … [Read more...]
With missed recruitment targets and continued teaching shortages – are we going to see a teaching crisis?
With missed recruitment targets and continued teaching shortages - are we going to see a teaching crisis? For the third year in a row targets for new trainee teachers in England have been missed. These figures support ongoing concerns within the education sector of a recruitment crisis. This year saw 28,148 graduates start initial teacher training courses, which is 94% off the target set in place. With the population increase due to hit the secondary education schools next year, with an … [Read more...]
Teacher training group seek recruits from Southern Europe due to top graduate shortage
Teacher training group seek recruits from Southern Europe due to top graduate shortage. Teacher training group SNITT (Suffolk & Norfolk Teacher Training) latest campaign aims to attract the ‘untapped talent’ of graduates from Southern Europe including Italy, Portgual and Greece, who hope to become teachers. Attracting top graduates to certain subjects can be very challenging. This project will support graduates gain professional teaching qualifications in areas such as maths, physics, … [Read more...]
HMRC Tax Office jobs could be at risk across Wales
HMRC Tax Office jobs could be at risk across Wales. It has been announced that HM Revenue & Customs will today provide staff in Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Porthadog with ‘direction of its estate’, as employees fear that over 600 jobs could be lost by closing three of the offices and centralising the organisation in Cardiff. With the Wrexham office currently employing around 350 staff, Swansea 300 and the Welsh-language call centre in Porthmadog housing 20 workers, this announcement could … [Read more...]
Trainee primary teachers bursaries due to be cut
Trainee primary teachers bursaries due to be cut It has been reported that bursaries for trainee primary teachers across England will be cut from next year. This announcement has created a storm within the education sector, fearing that it could lead to a teacher recruitment crisis. With suggestions from TES that these plans could affect more then 50% of trainee teachers in the primary education sector, bursaries will be one third of the value for new starters in 2016. The department for … [Read more...]
Living Wage Foundation announce 40p increase to the voluntary living wage
Accounting firm KPMG, published a recent study, suggesting that nearly six million workers are currently being paid less than the UK’s voluntary living wage of £7.85 (£9.15 in London), as promoted by the ‘Living Wage Foundation’. With part-time workers, female and young workers, most likely to earn below the recommended figures. Supported by more than 2,000 businesses, with just under 70,000 workers, the Living Wage Foundation have announced that they will be increasing the voluntary living wage … [Read more...]
5 November – Intermediary Reporting Deadline
RECRUITMENT AGENCIES, make sure you have submitted your Intermediary Reports to HMRC by 5 November or you could be facing fines... With new legislation put in place back in April 2015, Employment Intermediaries (Recruitment Agencies) are now required to submit details every 3 months of all workers they have placed with clients, where Pay As You Earn (PAYE) is not operated on the workers' payments. With the next quarterly deadline fast approaching 5th November, it is vital that you as an agency … [Read more...]
Tax Credits: George Osborne to act on concerns surrounding Tax Credit Cuts.
Chancellor George Osborne plans to cut Tax Credits has taken a major blow, after concerns have been raised of the impact these cuts will have. Conservative MP's have been left angry after a defeat by the House of Lords stalling Government's plans to cut Tax Credits. Though 'transitional help' has been promised to assist those affected by the Chancellor's plans, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has advised that these changes would leave some 3 million people worse off. Tax Credits and Child Tax … [Read more...]