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Government departments fail to engage with Payroll Giving
The Geared for Giving Campaign, which champions workplace giving schemes for employers, obtained the information from 15 departments via Freedom of Information requests and says it was “surprised” that eight failed to reach the national average (see full list below). : In its recently published Payroll Giving consultation document the government acknowledged its responsibility to “lead by example” - but has so far failed to do so.
Wed, 22 May 2013 • Read more
Glitch prevents RTI annual scheme registration
HMRC says there has been a recent increase in the number of employers and agents requesting the registration of Real Time Information PAYE schemes as annual, however it is unable process requests from employers to:: • move to paying annually and register as an annual scheme
Wed, 22 May 2013 • Read more
HMRC claims customer service victory
In its 2012-13 performance briefing HMRC says that since October 2012 it has begun to achieve its target of answering more than 90% of call attempts to the department. : Performance for the full year was more than 75% of call attempts handled.
Tue, 21 May 2013 • Read more
NI numbers issued without suffixes
In response to the issue HMRC has issued guidance for employers "here(here)":http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/news/paye-nino-without-suffixes.htm: HMRC says employers should use the NINO that was sent back but enter the space bar instead of the suffix.
Fri, 17 May 2013 • Read more
Free webinar on how integrated software can provide one harmonious payroll, HR, workforce management and auto-enrolment solution
The event is brought to you by Payroll World Live in association with Ceridian.: For those who have not attended a webinar before the event is an interactive talk offering expert opinion on the topic discussed. You can ask questions and take part in interactive votes during the webinar and you’ll have the opportunity to rate it after you’ve heard from the speakers.
Wed, 15 May 2013 • Read more
Queen’s speech: NICs waiver and state pension reform announced
The National Insurance Contributions Bill, first announced by Chancellor George Osborne in the Budget earlier in the year, is aimed at making it easier for small companies to take on new staff.: It will result in a third of employers - or around 450,000 firms - no longer paying NICs from April next year.
Mon, 13 May 2013 • Read more
Auto-enrolment consultancy charges banned
The government says it has conducted a thorough review of consultancy charges over the past six months and that existing measures to prevent advisers deducting high charges from members’ pension pots are inadequate.: It also says that consultancy charges can have a disproportionately negative impact on people who move jobs regularly.
Mon, 13 May 2013 • Read more
HMRC’s own software fails to file RTI
A pre-recorded message on HMRC’s helpline states: “We’re aware of an issue for some employers trying to submit their RTI returns using HMRC’s Basic PAYE tools. We are investigating this issue and will provide an update early next week. : “Employers should pay their employees as normal even if they have problems with their payroll and can’t submit their PAYE until after they have paid their employees. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Wed, 8 May 2013 • Read more
AE: Employers worry about increased payroll workload but unlikely to take on extra staff
Hays recruitment found that two-thirds of companies it surveyed were concerned that AE would increase workload for their HR and payroll departments.: Of the 400 employers it quizzed only one in ten said they expected to take on more staff to handle the extra work. Despite these concerns, 58% said they felt exactly on track for AE.
Tue, 7 May 2013 • Read more
RTI easements contribute to scheme's smooth start
The news from HMRC has been welcomed by employer groups that say a relaxation on reporting for smaller businesses has assisted many in the move to the new system.: RTI started on 6 April 2013. Under RTI, employers report PAYE in real time from their first pay day on or after 6 April each time they pay their employees, rather than yearly.
Tue, 7 May 2013 • Read more
Payroll Giving suffers from employer misconceptions
Of companies that do not currently operate Payroll Giving 71% say they are unsure of the administration process, 71% believe their employees are unlikely to engage with the scheme and 57% highlight costs as a barrier.: This is in contrast to those that do currently operate a Payroll Giving scheme of which 69% say that setting up a scheme is simple, 96% say they find the administration easy and 76% state that operating Payroll Giving is low cost.
Tue, 7 May 2013 • Read more
Shares for rights law sets 'dangerous precedent'
After rejecting the proposals twice, the House of Lords voted last month in favour of the plans.: Legal firm Irwin Mitchell’s head of employment law, Tom Flanagan, said: “The ‘ping pong’ process which this legislation has been through in the Lords and Commons highlights the divisive and troublesome nature of the key measures in this bill. However, the fact it has been passed by the House of Lords may now set a dangerous precedent.
Wed, 1 May 2013 • Read more
Call for Payroll Giving to be reformed
The CIOT has made the recommendation in response to HMRC’s Payroll Giving consultation. : Colin Ben-Nathan, chair of the CIOT’s employment taxes sub-committee, said: “It is important to note that under Payroll Giving, donated pay remains liable to NIC and we think this is an area that should be reviewed in considering whether the take-up of Payroll Giving arrangements can be increased.”
Wed, 1 May 2013 • Read more
NEST reaches landmark
At an event held for employers and advisers this week NEST announced the names of 26 more employers that are using the scheme including Greene King, The Random House Group, University of Manchester and H&M.: NEST's chief executive Tim Jones said: “Automatic enrolment is now in full swing and NEST is playing a critical role for many employers.
Wed, 1 May 2013 • Read more
MPs call for single pensions regulator
A report from the Work and Pensions Select Committee published today warns that there are gaps in regulation that could grow as a result of having multiple regulators.: Dame Anne Begg MP, chair of the Committee, said: “Under auto-enrolment millions of people will be brought into pension saving for the very first time. The need for rigorous pension scheme governance has never been more vital.
Thu, 25 Apr 2013 • Read more
‘Pot follows member’ pension system to be introduced
The change is in response to what would have been a likely increase in dormant pension pots with the introduction of auto-enrolment (AE). The policy aims to reduce the number of people with fragmented small investments to one in thirty. When people move job these pots could be stranded or lost completely over time. : The ‘pot follows member’ system will mean that over someone’s working life any pots accrued of less than £10,000 will automatically move with them.
Tue, 23 Apr 2013 • Read more
HMRC chief exec battles for job after MPs accuse her of 'misleading' Parliament
The Home Affairs Committee says Homer repeatedly misled Parliament over the size of the backlogs in asylum and immigration, which now number around 310,000 outstanding cases.: A report from the Committee states: “It is appalling that a senior civil servant should have misled the Committee in the way that Ms Homer did and that she continues, even in the light of the Inspector’s findings, to try and evade responsibility for her failings.
Tue, 23 Apr 2013 • Read more
Acas launches collective redundancies guidance
On April 6 new government legislation came into effect which applies to employers proposing 100 or more redundancies. A key change is that employers must start consultation at least 45 days before any dismissals can take effect. This has been reduced from 90 days. : "This guide will help employers and employees understand the recent changes and the new laws around collective redundancies with top tips on how to handle them,” said Acas chairman Ed Sweeney.
Tue, 23 Apr 2013 • Read more
UK workers happy to discuss pay packets
Monster recruitment quizzed 3,000 people across Europe and the US and found 49% of Brits were happy discussing their salary with colleagues compared with 64% of Germans and only 37% of Americans. : "Pay transparency is a hot topic, especially among startups,” said Mary Ellen Slayter from Monster. “But it's clear that many workers are just as uncomfortable with the notion as their bosses are. For most people, the best strategy is to focus on yourself and your own career path and growth, instead of trying to compete with everybody else. Of course, the best time to discuss salary is when you’re negotiating a raise.”
Tue, 23 Apr 2013 • Read more
Kent NHS overpays staff by millions
In some cases the overpayments totalled tens of thousands of pounds. The errors are being pursued and the trusts say that debt collection agencies are being used if the overpayments have not been recovered through salaries. About two-thirds of the money has been recovered so far. : Former NHS finance director in the South East Noel Plummeridge told the BBC: "It's worth noting it's not a Kent specific problem - this is something that's been noted across the NHS - it's not a new problem, it's been going on for some years.
Tue, 23 Apr 2013 • Read more
