Here are some common mistakes employers make when paying the National Minimum Wage (NMW): Failing to pay the minimum wage following the annual increase: The new rates that take effect from April 2022 have already been confirmed. The rate for 16-17 year olds goes up to £4.81 an hour; 18-20 year olds will rise to £6.83 an hour and for 21-22 year olds it will rise to £9.18 an hour. The National Living Wage for workers aged 23 and over will be £9.50 an hour. Employers need to ensure that their payroll is prepared for the increases.

EU citizens working in the UK need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme for Settled Status to continue to work in the UK beyond 30 June 2021. This article details what obligations employers have to their EU employees and if they need to undertake any checks on existing employees from 1 July 2021.

This is a chance to learn from your peers in business – facilitated locally by Trevor Vanstone, of Perspective HR – and there is no cost to you as a business as this is fully funded by the Government and the Local Enterprise Partnership.

Following the budget last week, the Government have announced that Furlough will be extended beyond April until the end of September 2021, albeit the Government contributions are changing.

The following National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage increases are set to take effect from April 2021:

The overview of the scheme states: If you cannot maintain your workforce because your operations have been affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19), you can furlough employees and apply for a grant to cover a portion of their usual monthly wage costs where you record them as being on furlough.

Job Support Scheme Update The Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), commonly known as Furlough leave ends on 31 October 2020. This is to be replaced by the Government Job Support Scheme, which is due to come into force on 1 November 2020. On Thursday...

COVID-19 Update: September 2020 – The Government has announced the successor to the Flexible Furlough Scheme by way of the Job Support Scheme. The details of the scheme have still not been published. However, a summary of what we know at present is outlined below. This however, is subject to change once the full details are provided.

Growth Support Kickstart Grant Scheme – It has been announced that additional funding will be available as part of the Kickstart scheme to help businesses in the heart of the South West to recover from the impact of Coronavirus.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme July 2020 Update – The Government issued further guidance on 12 June 2020 in respect of the changes to the Furlough scheme.