Hot Topics
Driving on Company Business
A publication that needs to be taken seriously is the Health and Safety Executive's and Department of Transport's 24 Page guide 'Driving at Work - Managing Work Related Road Safety'. It can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg382.pdf. If there was ever any doubt that employers have responsibilities concerning individuals driving on their behalf - and this includes staff who use their own vehicles at work - then this removes it once and for all. Look out for more information about what is expected of employers in our April Newsletter.
The Budget
The Budget contained little of surprise for employers. The growing emphasis on taxation based on environmental issues will influence some work related policies. Increased duties on larger cars will no doubt affect company car choices.
Some good news is that small companies hiring employees who need basic skills training will be offered £2,000 training help per employee.
Minimum Wage Increase
The minimum wage increase from 1st October 2007 has now been confirmed as follows:
- Adult rate (workers aged 22 and over) will increase to £5.52.
- Development rate for 18-21 year olds will increase to £4.60.
- Development rate for 16-17 year olds will increase to £3.40.
- The rate for the accommodation offset will increase to £30.10 per week (£4.30 per day).
Construction Industry Scheme
This scheme comes into force on 6th April, and sets out the rules for how payments to subcontractors for construction work must be handled by contractors in the construction industry and certain other businesses. Non-construction businesses or other concerns are counted as contractors if their average annual expenditure on construction operations over a period of three years is £1 million or more.
Under the Scheme, all payments made from contractors to subcontractors must take account of the subcontractor's tax status as determined by HM Revenue and Customs. Guidance on the Scheme can be found here http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/new-cis/cis340.pdf .
HR Advantage High Wycombe expansion
As we told you in last month's newsletter, we recently extended our High Wycombe office, adding the top floor of 9 Lancaster Court to our existing ground floor space. The move has been exciting for us all, and we're enjoying our improved facilities, including new meeting and training rooms, better on site facilities for clients and an expanded working area. Work is still ongoing, but as promised here is a picture of our new top floor office space!
March/April 2007
