Ministers from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have called the UK Government to make the Universal Credit uplift a permanent change.As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government introduced a £20 per week uplift to support low income families. However, this scheme is now set to be scrapped as of October. There are growing concerns about the impact this will have on poverty and the hardship families will face.Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (a charity which … [Read more...]
Government extends Right to Work checks
The UK Government have today announced that the temporary Right to Work checks for employers has been extended until April 2022.Since the national lockdown in March 2020, employers have been able to carry out right to work checks remotely, without having to see any hard copies of documents. The initial checking process meant that job applicants or existing workers were required to send their original documents. This inevitably proved to be challenging when stay at home restrictions were in … [Read more...]
Job vacancies reach the 1 million milestone
The month of July saw more than a million job openings, the first on record since the economy recovers from the pandemic.Figures published by the ONS also showed that the number of employees on payrolls rose by 182,000 last month - though this was still 201,000 below the pre-crisis levels.Arts, leisure and food service firms were among those making a big contribution to the surge in job vacancies.Ruth Gregory, senior UK economist at Capital Economics, said the jobs data should calm … [Read more...]
HMRC update: New proposal to clamp down on promoters of tax avoidance
HMRC have published further updates on the proposal to clamp down on tax avoidance schemes.The measure is targeted at the most persistent and determined promoters and enablers of tax avoidance.The proposed legislative changes are designed to clamp down on the supply of tax avoidance arrangements and include:a new power for HMRC to seek freezing orders that would prevent promoters from dissipating or hiding their assets before paying the penalties that are charged as a result of … [Read more...]
EU Settlement Scheme – Deadline Fast Approaching
The EU Settlement Scheme deadline of 30th June 2021 is fast approaching.Please see below details from the Government of who should apply and how and here is the link to the Government website to start your application:Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status) Skip to contents of guideContents1. Overview 2. Who should apply 3. What you’ll get 4. What you'll need to apply 5. Applying for your children 6. Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme 7. If … [Read more...]
Furlough numbers continue to decline
Government’s Plan for Jobs pay off as figures indicate 1.3 million fewer employees accessing furlough. An optimistic outlook for the labour market indeed. At an all-time low this year, statistics published by GOV.UK on the 3rd June reveal that the number of workers relying on government support fell to 3.4 million. March and April showed 1.3 million employees moving off furlough, with some of the highest falls in the under 18s and 18 – 24 age group. Furthermore, the furlough … [Read more...]
Employee Experience the focus of Post-Covid Business: How prepared is your business?
Many employers are making sincere changes to their businesses in order to incorporate the increasingly popular Hybrid Working Model and prioritise Employee Mental Wellbeing. The UK Government's initial response to the Covid-19 pandemic was to impose a countrywide lockdown, enforcing workers to work remotely from home where possible. Businesses as a result, had to adjust and comply with new regulations for the safety of its workers.Subsequently, the effects of lockdown has now … [Read more...]
Future of Lockdown: UK Government Guidelines
A paper published by the House of Commons on April 2nd, 2021, outlines the rules around COVID-19 and returning to work. Here is a brief summary which outlines lockdown legislation, employer’s health and safety obligations and when workers can refuse to work.Download full report here.In late March 2020, the UK Government imposed a National lockdown in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic that swept the country. Government imposed rules that prohibited people from going to … [Read more...]
IR35 For Beginners
Do you need assistance understanding IR35? Are you unsure if you are affected? This IR35 for beginners infographic may help.Infographic: IR35 for beginnersIf you have any questions or concerns about your IR35 status then please do connect with us on 01252 863700 or email info@epayme.co.uk.ePayMe are one of the UK’s leading providers of compliant payroll services to contractors, temporary agencies and small businesses. Our bespoke systems utilise the latest software and link directly … [Read more...]
Effects of the Payroll working rule on education sites and employment agencies in the public sector research study 2017
The HMRC ahead of the 2021 IR35 roll-out, republished two 2017 research studies that investigated the effects of the payroll working rule in the public sector on education sites and employment agencies. In 2021 the HMRC commissioned IFF Research and Frontier Economics to gather evidence of longer-term effects of the off-payroll working reform implemented in the public sector in 2017. Findings for both reports combined were gathered from 51 quantitative and 40 qualitative interviews. … [Read more...]