We would like to take the opportunity to wish all our clients a happy New Year. It is time to look ahead to the changes anticipated in employment law circles in 2020.
The United Kingdom will now leave the EU with effect from 31 January 2020. It is unlikely, in the short-term at least, that this will have any impact upon levels of employment law protection in the UK since EU directives will remain enshrined in UK law during the withdrawal period. It may be significant that, following the recent election, the Government dropped the section of the Withdrawal Bill which specifically protected worker rights. The recent Queen's Speech did make a general statement to the effect that a new Bill would be introduced to "protect and enhance workers' rights as the UK leaves the EU", but no details have been provided as yet.
In the meantime, the Government have announced that the national living wage will increase to £8.72 with effect from 1 April 2020, with the standard rate increasing to £8.20 and similar increases put in place for apprentices and younger workers. Full details are provided below.
There are no other significant changes to statutory rates confirmed at this point, although it seems likely that there will be an uplift to the rate at which National Insurance contributions are paid in line with pledges made in the Conservative Manifesto. A full budget is anticipated in February 2020 and details of any changes will be reported at that time.
A full break down of all employment related statutory rates, including national minimum wages, tax ates, Statutory Sick Pay, Statutory Maternity Pay and pension contributions is provided for our retained clients in our HR Zone, click here to access or to signup.