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 […]
Chancellor Rachael Reeves recently announced that there is to be a review of the Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) rates, “ahead of a future budget”, as expected this was welcomed by many but a more definite or earlier time frame would have been more beneficial given this is something that many employers and motoring industry […]
Read articleFor payroll professionals, the key message for the 2026/27 tax year is this: from 6 April 2026, the rules are more flexible for fathers and partners using Paternity Leave alongside Shared Parental Leave, while the statutory weekly pay rate has increased. The government has also confirmed that Paternity Leave is now a day one right […]
Read articleEmployers across the United Kingdom will face a new legal duty to maintain records proving they have given workers their full holiday entitlements, starting on 6 April 2026. The requirement, introduced by Section 35 of the Employment Rights Act 2025, amends the Working Time Regulations 1998 by inserting a new regulation 16B. From that date, […]
Read articleWe previously advised on the Chancellors’ intention to ensure all young people who have been on Universal Credits for 18 months or longer will be offered a guaranteed paid work placement. Those who do not take up the offer could face losing their benefits. This comes amidst growing concerns on how to tackle youth unemployment […]
Read articleNew government guidance has clarified how Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) reforms will apply to employees whose sickness absences span the key implementation date of 6 April 2026, with particular implications for low-paid workers previously excluded from the system. The changes form part of a wider overhaul of employment rights and will significantly expand access to […]
Read articleThe Employment Bill set out plans to improve gender equality in the workplace, by extending reporting requirements for large employers. Following Royal Assent of the Employment Rights Bill, on 18 December 2025, The Employment Rights Act 2025 will bring forward requirements for employers with 250 or more employees will have the option to produce and […]
Read articleChancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Spring Forecast 2026 – widely referred to as the Spring Statement – in the House of Commons on 3 March. In a deliberately low-key address, she updated MPs on the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) latest economic projections without introducing any new tax rises, spending commitments or policy shifts. For […]
Read articleLast year the eligibility criteria for Winter Fuel Payments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland were expanded so that more pensioners would be eligible. We previously advised of the Government’s intention to seek recovery of overpayments through the tax system by adjusting tax codes and now confirm […]
Read articleFrom 6 April 2026, the UK is introducing significant updates to family-friendly employment rights under the Employment Rights Act. These reforms remove long-standing qualifying service periods for certain types of leave, making it easier for new parents—especially fathers and partners—to access time off when welcoming a child. The headline change: employees can now give notice […]
Read articleUK employers are being urged to prepare for significant changes to student loan repayments as a new repayment plan—Plan 5—takes effect from 6 April 2026, marking its first year of deductions through the PAYE system. Introduced for students in England who began undergraduate courses, PGCE programmes, or Advanced Learner Loans on or after 1 August […]
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.jpg "UK Employers Must Keep Holiday Records from April 2026 Under New Employment Rights Act")
.jpg "Job Guarantees for Young People")
.jpg "Low-paid workers to gain sick pay from April 2026 – but not all long-term absences will qualify")
.jpg "Chancellor’s Spring Statement 2026")
.jpg "Tax code changes for winter payment recovery")
.jpg "Plan 5 Becomes the New Default for Student Loan Deductions from April 2026")
