Employment law is an area of law that benefits both employers and employees. Over the past couple of years there have been new rules and regulations introduced due to Covid-19. As well as these, there are other annual changes to key criteria affecting employers and employees. Gemma Bailey is the Head of Employment Law at Howells and has outlined the key changes you need to be aware of.

Increased National Insurance Contributions: With effect from 6 April 2022 National Insurance contributions for employers and employees will rise by 1.25%. The purpose of the increase is to fund health and social care and from April 2023, the increase will be replaced by a separate health and social care levy and the NIC rates will revert to their current level.

National Minimum Wage: Increased new rates of national minimum wage and national living wage will come into force from 1 April 2022 National Minimum Wage in 2022

• National living wage (age 23 or over): 9.50 per hour
• Age 21 to 22: 9.18 per hour
• Age 18 to 20: 6.83 per hour
• Age 16 to 17: 4.81 per hour
• Apprentice rate: 4.81 per hour

Employment Bill

The Government first proposed an Employment Bill in 2019. However, it has not yet progressed and this may occur in 2022. The following changes are expected to be included in the Bill:

• Neonatal leave – This will be a new right for parents whose babies require neonatal care to take neonatal leave and pay. It is expected that the amount of leave will be one week for every week that the...

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