Here we summarise the latest employment law changes and legal updates.
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The Government has introduced several new changes in employment law in 2017-2018. Brief details of these changes are listed below.
Employment legislation changes in 2017-2018 |
Effective date |
---|---|
Trade Union ActThe Act reforms the rules on trade union ballots for taking industrial action. The main provisions of the Act are :
|
March 2017 |
Gender pay gap reportingTo address the gender pay gap, the Government is introducing a completely new requirement for all large organisations to publish their gender pay gap. Employers will need to publish key wage information, and these details will need to include the difference in hourly earnings as well as the gap in bonus pay. |
April 2017 |
Apprenticeship LevyEmployers with a wage bill of more than £3 million per year will be liable to pay a new apprenticeship levy. The levy will apply to all industry sectors, in both the public- and private-sector, for the purpose of raising money to meet the cost of apprenticeship schemes across the UK. |
April 2017 |
National Minimum Wage and National Living WageIncreases in hourly rates of pay for both the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. Details in the table below. Future changes for both will take place in April of each year.
|
April 2017 |
The Immigration Skills Charge Regulations 2017From April 2017 employers who sponsor skilled workers under tier 2 of the points based system will have to pay £1,000 per certificate. Employers should confirm that they have checked that all their current employees have the right to work in the UK, and that they can prove that those checks have taken place. A paper trail will be essential. |
April 2017 |
Fit for Work serviceIn England and Wales, the service stopped accepting new referrals in December 2017, but will continue to deal with ongoing referrals until 31 March 2018. In Scotland, the service is due to end on 31 March 2018 though they may stop accepting new referrals before this date, though this is still to be confirmed In all locations, Fit for Work will continue to provide telephone advice, webchat, email service and online resources |
December 2017
March 2018 |
Childcare Voucher SchemeChildcare voucher salary-sacrifice schemes will close to new entrants from 6 April 2018, but can continue for existing users. The new tax-free childcare scheme does not involve employers-individual apply themselves |
April 2018 |
General Data Protection RegulationsEmployers will be required to carry out audits of employee personal data that they collect and process to ensure it meets the General Data Protection Regulations. The ICO have published a booklet “Preparing for the General Data Protection Regulations – 12 steps to take“ |
May 2018 |
Statutory payments – April 2017
From April 2017 |
From April 2018 |
|
Maternity/Paternity/Adoption | £140.98 | £145.18 |
Sick pay | £89.35 | £92.05 |
Lower Earnings Threshold | £113 | £116 |
National Living Wage | £7.50 | £7.83 |
National Minimum Wage | ||
Workers aged 21-24 | £7.05 | £7.38 |
Workers aged 18-20 | £5.60 | £5.90 |
Workers ages 16-17 | £4.05 | £4.20 |
Apprentice rate | £3.50 | £3.70 |
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