See this month's most-asked payroll questions from sick pay to benefits in kind and how ASKTPC gives members the same answers instantly.
The Department for Work and Pensions has updated the SSP1 form (the employer form issued when Statutory Sick Pay is not payable or is ending) to include the specific reason: “Your earnings in the 8 weeks before your sickness absence began were £0.” This follows the major Statutory Sick Pay reforms that took effect from […]
In a boost to encourage nursey school teachers to obtain degree level qualifications the government announced they will pay bonuses of £4,500 to any qualified teacher taking up a position in England’s most ‘deprived communities’, in a bid to provide expert support in the development of children in the early stages. Government educational statistics show […]
Read articleThe Department for Business and Trade has launched the latest round of consultations under the government’s manifesto to Make Work Pay. This recent consultation is seeking views on ongoing proposals to end one sided flexibility by ensuring that all jobs provide a baseline of security for workers. The focus of the consultation seeks views on […]
Read articleThe UK Government’s pilots to replace the traditional “tick-box” fit note with personalised stay-in-work and return-to-work plans (launched in May 2026) are designed to get employers involved much earlier in an employee’s sickness absence. This is part of the same broader package that already introduced Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from day one on 6 April […]
Read article6 April was a major payroll date, but it was not the finish line. The Employment Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025, which means the legal framework is now in place. The real challenge for payroll teams is that several provisions are being phased in, so compliance does not stop with […]
Read articleThe Fair Work Agency is now the UK’s new executive agency for enforcing workers’ rights. For payroll professionals, this is not just a policy update. It is a practical reminder that pay accuracy, holiday records, agency worker processes and statutory payments must be audit-ready. The agency was formed in April 2026 and is sponsored by […]
Read articleWith UK payroll compliance tightening, accountants are increasingly advising clients on the choice between a traditional payroll bureau and full outsourcing. New umbrella company rules, effective from 6 April 2026, have intensified the debate by introducing joint and several liability across supply chains. This change is forcing bureaus, recruitment agencies, and end clients to reassess […]
Read articleWe previously published an article highlighting the Government’s proposals to introduce requirements for large employers with 250 or more employees to create voluntary action plans that show how they reduce gender pay gap and support employees experiencing menopause. This voluntary proposal was ahead of the mandatory timeline which will take effect from April 2027. At […]
Read articleOn 26 February 2026, the Investment Zone special tax sites in Scotland were designated. The Glasgow City Region Investment Zone and North East of Scotland special tax sites were designated following a Statutory Instrument which was laid on 5 February 2026. Government committed to the introduction of 13 such zones 8 of which are already designated This now adds to […]
Read articleMonthly paid employees can still need an average holiday pay calculation. The key question is not how often they are paid, but whether their pay is fixed or includes variable elements such as overtime, commission, allowances, or shift payments. Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 16 says: “A worker is entitled to be paid […]
Read articleHM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) published its April 2026 Employer Bulletin on 15 April 2026, delivering critical guidance for employers and payroll professionals at the start of the 2026/27 tax year. The bulletin covers wage increases, statutory pay reforms, benefits changes, and specific warnings on Real Time Information (RTI) submission errors. National Minimum Wage and […]
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