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National Minimum Wage breaches: Top reasons for underpayment and how to comply

The publication of the names of nearly 500 employers found to have breached employment law has once again placed the spotlight on National Minimum Wage (NMW) compliance.

Household names are among the 491 businesses that failed to meet their legal obligations to around 42,000 workers and have been listed in the Government’s latest publication of the National Minimum Wage Naming Scheme (Round 22).

Employment Rights Bill - Planned delivery and progress through Parliament

The Employment Rights Bill is scheduled to receive its third reading in the House of Lords. Hailed as representing ‘the biggest upgrade in employment rights for a generation’ the Bill will introduce a string of significant reforms from as early as April 2026. In this article we look at the measures impacting an employers payroll obligations and costs.

Is outsourcing a strategic opportunity amid rising employment costs?

Outsourcing should be viewed as a strategic partnership. It’s not about replacing your HR, payroll or finance department, but about enhancing your capabilities and focusing internal resources where they add the most value.

Mandatory payrolling of Benefits in Kind delayed

From April 2027, most taxable BIKs (including taxable expenses) provided to employees and directors will need to be reported to HMRC via weekly or monthly payroll returns instead of on a P11D return at the end of the tax year.

10 tax changes starting in April 2025

The Chancellor focused on spending cuts in the 2025 Spring Statement rather than raising taxes, but a string of previously announced changes to tax legislation are set to come into play from April.

The benefits apprentices can bring to your business

At Armstrong Watson, we are strong advocates of the apprenticeship scheme as we believe not only does this provide individuals with the valuable skills and experience they need for a successful career - it provides businesses with brilliant people.  

Reminder of holiday pay reforms for employers operating January to December annual leave

Employers operating annual leave on a calendar year basis will need to prepare ahead of the new holiday pay changes for seasonal and irregular hours workers impacting them from January 2025.

How much will your salary bill increase from April 2025? Download our free Forecasting Tool

Changes announced in the 2024 Autumn Budget will significantly impact employer wage bills from April 2025.

Could salary sacrifice be the answer to increased staff costs for employers?

One area that was not covered in the Budget was salary sacrifice. This remains a viable solution to employers in shaping the remuneration packages for staff in a way that helps to minimise National Insurance costs for the business, and in many cases, reduces the tax and/or National Insurance deductions suffered by employees on their pay and benefits.

Autumn Budget 2024: Payroll taxes

The recent budget announcement brought several significant updates to payroll and tax regulations, most notably to Employers’ National Insurance Contributions and the National Minimum Wage – both of which will have a significant impact on employers’ wage bills.