April is always a busy time with changes to Employment Legislation for employers to be aware of and act upon where required.
Here is a useful summary of the main changes: –
National Minimum Wage
From 1st April 2018, the National Minimum Wage will increase as follows: –
- 16-17 year olds = £4.20 per hour (up from £4.05)
- 18-20 year olds = £5.90 per hour (up from 5.60)
- 21 years and over = £7.38 per hour (up from £7.05)
- 25 years and over = £7.83 per hour (up from £7.50) – National Living Wage
- Apprenticeship rate – £ 3.70 (up from £3.50 – for under 19 years old or over 19 if in first year)
Statutory Sick Pay
From 6th April 2018, Statutory Sick Pay will increase to £92.05 per week (from £89.35).
Family Friendly Payments
From 6th April 2018, Statutory Maternity, Paternity, Adoption & Shared Parental pay will increase to £145.18 per week (from £140.98).
Compensation & Redundancy Payments
- From 6th April 2018, compensation and redundancy payments will change as follows: –
- The cap on a statutory week’s pay will increase to £508.00 (from £489.00);
- The maximum Basic Award for unfair dismissal will increase to £15,240 (from £14,670);
- Statutory redundancy payments will be capped at a maximum of £15,240 (from £14,670);
- Compensatory Awards for unfair dismissal will increase to a maximum of £83,682 (from £80,541) or a year’s gross pay, whichever is the lower.
- Guarantee pay increases to £28 per day (from £27 per day).