Squeeze on living standards expected to worsen
Wage growth for this decade could be at its lowest since the 1900s. Many Britons could face a significant drop in living standards as they struggle to keep up with rising living costs. In his recent Autumn Statement, the Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Autumn statement revealed the UK faces a £122 billion black hole. The Resolution […]
What the Autumn Statement means for employers
With changes to national insurance thresholds to a rise in the national living wage, Philip Hammond’s Autumn Statement contained several important changes that employers need to prepare for. Rise in national living wage From April 2017, the national living wage for over-25s will rise 4.2%. This will mean an increase from £7.20 to £7.50 per […]
Prime Minister refuses to back down on National Living Wage plans
Prime Minister Theresa May has said that she will not back down on the Government’s plans to increase the national living wage over the next few years. Mrs May has dismissed calls from top business leaders to drop its 2012 target and restore the powers of the Low Pay Commission. The minimum pay rate for over […]
Government’s list of minimum wage offenders
The Government has named and shamed almost 200 businesses for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage. The 197 employers, included football clubs, care homes, hotels, hairdressers and recruitment agencies. Altogether they owed staff £465,291 in wage arrears. All the outstanding money has now been paid to the workers. Top of the Government’s list of […]
M&S forced to defend changes to pay structure
Popular high street chain, Marks and Spencer (M&S) has been forced to defend its new pay structure after it was revealed that their employees could lose out on thousands of pounds each year. The changes to their existing policy were announced in May 2016, and a decision on their enforcement will be made 60 days […]
Marks and Spencers to drop antisocial pay to offset wage increase
Marks and Spencers has announced plans to boost basic pay for its workers by 15%, but those earning special pay rates are expected to lose out. The high street retailer says that the pay rise will give their employees one of the highest hourly rates in retail in the country. They are planning to increase […]
Employee Perks and National Living Wage
Employers accused of cutting back perks to accommodate National Living Wage Whether it’s increased overtime rates, discounts, food perks, or above average rates of pay, most employees enjoy a number of perks associated with their job role – but, following the introduction of the National Living Wage on April 1st 2016, many employees are now […]
CIPD Warns of Lower Pay Rises
The introduction of the compulsory National Living Wage will cause UK salaries to rise at a far slower rate than forecast, according to the CIPD. However, the HR body believes that low inflation will help to ease the blow for average earners. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and the Bank of England originally predicted […]
Living Wage Foundation Announces New Rates
The Living Wage Foundation has announced the voluntary Living Wage rates for the next twelve months. For all areas of the UK outside of London the rate has increased from £7.85 to £8.25 per hour. The London Living Wage, which reflects the higher price of living in the capital, has risen from £9.15 to £9.40. […]
Aldi to Pay More than Voluntary Living Wage
German supermarket chain Aldi has committed to pay its UK employees more than the voluntary living wage set by the Living Wage Foundation. The supermarket will pay at least £8.40 an hour (£9.45 an hour in London) from February 2016, which is higher than most other UK supermarkets and higher than the Living Wage. This […]
Lidl the Latest Retailer to Pay Living Wage
German retail chain Lidl will become the first UK supermarket to pay the Living Wage. The pay hike will equate to an average wage increase of £1,200 per year for about 9,000 Lidl employees, or just over half of the supermarket’s UK workforce. The increase is due this October, and means that Lidl employees across […]
Sanctions in Place for the National Living Wage
The Government has outlined how it plans to enforce the National Living Wage when it comes into force next April. There will be strict sanctions in place for employers that do not comply with the new National Living Wage limits. Working with an increased enforcement budget, HMRC has announced plans to double the existing penalties […]
IKEA Commits to Paying the Living Wage
IKEA has become the first national retailer in the UK to commit to paying the living wage. The home furnishing giant said that the increase will come into effect from 1st April 2016. More than half of the company’s 9,000 employees will see their pay rise. By paying the living wage IKEA is bringing its […]
UK Pay Increase Predicted for 2016
UK workers look set to receive an average pay increase of 2.3% in 2016. This will be the largest ‘real-terms’ salary rise since 2008. This forecast follows research by Korn Ferry Hay Group. Whilst the rate of pay increase looks set to be at the same as this year (2.5%), the level of inflation is […]