News – Page 5

  • Confessions
    Article

    Confessions of a benefits manager: Candid gets to grips with salary sacrifice changes

    2017-06-01T15:20:00Z

    Big Bad Boss has two approaches to a new issue. His first, and most frequent, response is to flap around firing off directions to everyone in the team without thinking it through. This happens if there is any kind of request from the top floor. His second approach is to ...

  • 1_HMRC
    Article

    EXCLUSIVE: 17% reviewing benefits strategy in light of salary sacrifice changes

    2017-05-25T08:21:22Z

    EXCLUSIVE: Less than one-fifth (17%) of employer respondents either have, or will, review their benefits strategy in light of the changes to salary sacrifice, according to research by Employee Benefits and Staffcare.The Employee Benefits/Staffcare Benefits research 2017, which surveyed 271 employer respondents in February-March 2017, also found that 20% of ...

  • benefits-research
    Article

    Employee Benefits/Staffcare Benefits research 2017

    2017-05-10T15:24:07Z

    Click to download the Employee Benefits/Staffcare Benefits research 2017The Employee Benefits/Staffcare Benefits research 2017 was conducted in February-March 2017 among readers of employeebenefits.co.uk. It received 271 responses.This report is aimed at helping compensation, reward and benefits professionals understand the key issues driving current benefits strategies, as well as issues shaping ...

  • debbie-15.40.22
    Article

    Debbie Lovewell-Tuck: Shaping benefits strategies against a backdrop of change

    2017-05-10T11:11:21Z

    The world has changed immeasurably in the 12 months since we published the Benefits research 2016.As the UK moves further towards its exit from the European Union and, at the time of writing, towards a snap general election, much uncertainty exists as to the potential impact of such events on ...

  • Article

    11: Tax-efficient benefits

    2017-04-05T12:56:57Z

    Just 9% of respondents’ organisations do not offer any benefits through a salary sacrifice arrangement, according to the Employee Benefits/Staffcare Benefits research 2017. This compares to 15% of respondents that said the same in 2016.The fall in the proportion of respondents that do not offer any benefits via salary sacrifice ...

  • 1_HMRC
    Article

    The tax and legislation changes impacting reward from April 2017

    2017-03-31T08:59:23Z

    Chancellor Philip Hammond used both the Autumn Statement 2016 and the Spring Budget 2017 to confirm a number of measures that will affect the pay and benefits landscape. Below is a round up of these measures, along with other tax and legislation changes coming into effect from April 2017:National minimum ...

  • 1_HMRC_tax_money
    Article

    Government legislates for changes to salary sacrifice arrangements

    2017-03-30T10:23:11Z

    The government has published draft guidance on the changes to certain benefits that attract tax and national insurance contribution (NIC) advantages when offered through a salary sacrifice arrangement for the 2017-2018 tax year.The changes form part of the Finance Bill 2017 and are due to come into effect from 6 ...

  • Gordon-Calder-Jones
    Article

    32% take part in company car schemes to drive a better car

    2017-03-24T11:22:12Z

    Around a third (32%) of respondents cite the ability to drive a better car as their reason for taking part in a company car scheme, according to research by Maxxia.Its survey of 207 UK employees who are part of a salary sacrifice or traditional company car scheme or who receive ...

  • Tesco-430
    Article

    Tesco to back pay staff after salary sacrifice-linked living wage error

    2017-03-10T09:51:06Z

    Retail organisation Tesco is to provide back pay to 140,000 former and current employees after it was found that their pay fell below the national living wage after salary sacrifice deductions.An internal review of Tesco’s reward system found that some employees were being left with a base salary below the ...

  • 1_money_calculator
    Article

    Government to consult on accommodation benefits

    2017-03-08T15:58:57Z

    Spring Budget 2017: The government is to consult on proposals to bring the tax treatment of employer-provided accommodation, board and lodgings up to date.The consultation was announced in the Autumn Statement in November 2016 and confirmed in the Spring Budget 2017 policy paper.The consultation will include proposals that consider when ...

  • 1_Houses_of_Parliament
    Article

    Government to call for evidence on taxation of benefits in kind

    2017-03-08T15:54:48Z

    Spring Budget 2017: The government is to publish a call for evidence on exemptions and valuation methodology for the income tax and employer national insurance contribution (NIC) treatment of benefits in kind.The government announced its intention to call for evidence on this issue in the Autumn Statement 2016, and reconfirmed ...

  • Baxter-David-1
    Article

    How to future proof a reward strategy in light of changing pay regulations

    2017-02-28T15:55:00Z

    Need to knowNew legislation on the horizon could increase pay bills in certain sectors.Changes to salary sacrifice arrangements could also impact the benefits mix.Reward professionals need to communicate with employees, the wider business and government.This year will see a raft of pay and benefits-related initiatives come into force or appear ...

  • Bikes-for-work
    Article

    Buyer's guide to bikes-for-work schemes

    2017-02-22T11:40:00Z

    The facts:What are bikes-for-work schemes?Bikes-for-work schemes are tax-exempt arrangements that encourage employees to cycle to work to reduce environmental pollution and promote healthier lifestyles. The scheme enables employers to fund bikes and safety equipment, and loan these to employees.Where can employers find more information?Additional information can be found on the ...

  • fleet-feb-issue
    Article

    What impact will the Autumn Statement changes have on engagement with ultra-low emission vehicles?

    2017-02-21T13:20:00Z

    Need to know:From April 2017, current tax and national insurance advantages for some company car salary sacrifice schemes will be removed, with the exception of arrangements relating to ultra-low emission vehicles.Pre-existing car salary sacrifice arrangements in place before April 2017 will be protected until April 2021.There will be new tax ...

  • Product focus - gyms
    Article

    Buyer's guide to corporate gym membership

    2017-01-30T13:00:00Z

    The facts:What is corporate gym membership?This can be offered to staff by their employers on a paid-for or discounted basis, providing access to a gym, health club, leisure or sports centre, or even exercise classes, as part of a voluntary or flexible benefits package.Where can employers get more information?Visit the ...

  • Steve Herbert 430
    Article

    27% believe the salary sacrifice changes will damage employee engagement

    2017-01-19T11:18:32Z

    More than a quarter (27%) of employer respondents believe that the limitations on salary sacrifice arrangements will damage employee engagement and employee relations, according to research by Jelf Employee Benefits.Its 2017 Jelf employment survey, which surveyed approximately up to 350 employers across England and Wales, also found that 47% of ...

  • briefing-dec-jan-2
    Article

    How will the limits on salary sacrifice tax advantages impact benefits strategies?

    2017-01-03T15:18:00Z

    In the Autumn Statement 2016 presented on 23 November, Chancellor Philip Hammond confirmed that the government will limit the range of benefits that attract tax advantages when offered through a salary sacrifice arrangement.The announcement followed a government consultation, which ran from 10 August to 19 October 2016. Following the Autumn ...

  • London, the UK. Red bus in motion and Big Ben
    Article

    How the Autumn Statement 2016 will impact employee benefits

    2016-11-24T10:41:44Z

    On 23 November 2016, Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered his Autumn Statement 2016 speech. Below is a round-up of the key announcements with a bearing on employee benefits:From April 2017, the government will limit the range of benefits that attract tax and employer national insurance (NI) advantages when offered through a ...

  • Philip Hammond 700px
    Article

    Government limits tax-efficient salary sacrifice arrangements

    2016-11-23T16:51:14Z

    Autumn Statement 2016: From April 2017, the government will significantly limit the range of benefits that attract tax and employer national insurance (NI) advantages when offered through a salary sacrifice arrangement.Pensions and pensions advice, childcare, bikes-for-work schemes, and ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) will be exempt from the changes.Arrangements in place ...

  • car
    Article

    Government retains freeze on fuel duty

    2016-11-23T15:44:19Z

    Autumn Statement 2016: Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced in his Autumn Statement speech that fuel duty will be frozen at 57.95p litre for the seventh consecutive year from April 2017.The continued freeze is estimated to save the average car driver £130 a year and van drivers £350 a year. This ...