Our monthly employment law round up.
National Insurance rise to be reversed from 6 November
The 1.25% increase in NICs introduced in April 2022 is to be reversed from 6 November, with the Health and Social Care Levy which was due to be introduced in April 2023 to be scrapped. The change in policy is the result of Liz Truss winning the Conservative Party leadership contest. It is the first of a number of employment law related pledges made during Liz Truss's campaign to be implemented.
IR35 extension to the private sector to be reversed from April 2023
The recent "mini-budget" included confirmation that the recent change to the off payroll working rules in the private sector is to be reversed from 6 April 2023. This returns responsibility for assessing employment status for tax purposes to the contractor and not the company (end user) engaging the contractor. The Treasury estimates this will cost approximately 6 billion over the next four tax years but will "simplify the tax system".
Voluntary real living wage rises to 10.90 per hour
The Living Wage Foundation has brought forward its November increase to the Real Living Wage in light of the cost of living crisis. This will result in approximately 400,000 workers getting a pay boost. The hourly rates will rise to 10.90 across the UK and 11.95 in London with immediate effect. The real living wage is a voluntary pay rate, not to be confused with the statutory national living wage which is currently 9.50 per hour.
Bill that may...
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