Government launches NMW campaign

Government has today launched a campaign to raise awareness of April’s increase of National Minimum and National Living Wage rates.

The national advertising campaign will be run across public transport, in shopping centres and other public places. From 1 April, the government’s National Living Wage (NLW) rate for those aged 25 and over increases by 30p to £7.50 per hour, while the government’s National Minimum Wage (NMW) rate for 21 to 24 year olds increases by 10p to £7.05 per hour, with the rate increasing by 5p to £5.60 and to £4.05 per hour for 18-to-20-year-olds and 16-to-17-year-old respectively. The apprentice rate is also set to increase by 10p to £3.50 per hour.

The campaign comes as government research shows many people in low paid work are confused about when they should be paid and what deductions from their pay packets can legally be made.

Their poll of more than 1,400 workers earning less than £15k finds 69% didn’t know they should be paid for travel time between appointments, 57% didn’t know having money deducted from their wages to cover the costs of their uniform is unlawful if it takes their earnings under the NMW or NLW, while 48% were unaware that tips can’t be used to top up pay to the legal minimum.

Earlier this month, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy named and shamed a record 359 employers including five recruitment agencies for underpaying workers nearly £1m.

Recommendations for better integration to support refugees into work

The current integration of refugees system is “broken, expensive, inefficient and damaging” for both refugees and the UK, according to the chair of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees.

Legislation 26 March 2024

IPS faces £900k penalty for failing to co-operate with HMRC

A tax avoidance promoter whose schemes were used by locum doctors and nurses faces a £900k penalty for failing to co-operate with HM Revenue & Customs, the tax authority announced today [22 March 2024].

Legislation 22 March 2024

Loan Charge campaigners ‘frustrated’ as HMRC ‘airbrushes’ history

The Loan Charge Action Group (LCAG) has reinforced its calls for a parliamentary inquiry as the loan charge continues to weigh heavily on Westminster.

Legislation 19 March 2024

£60m funding as Sunak goes big on apprenticeships

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has unveiled a raft of reforms aimed at increasing apprenticeship numbers and doing away with red tape for small businesses.

Legislation 19 March 2024
Top