April is always a busy month in the world of employment law and this year is no different. With a raft of increases to statutory payments that are normally increased in line with the consumer price index (CPI), we have set out below the most common payments that are increasing:
From 1st April 2022
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) that most workers are entitled to has increased per hour to:
· Aged 23 and above (National Living Wage rate) - £9.50 (increased from £8.91)
· Aged 21 to 22 inclusive - £9.18 (increased from £8.36)
· Aged 18 to 20 inclusive - £6.83 (increased from £6.56)
· Aged under 18 (but above compulsory school leaving age) - £4.81(increased from £4.62)
· Apprentices aged under 19 - £4.81(increased from £4.30)
· Apprentices aged 19 and over, but in the first year of their apprenticeship - £4.81(increased from £4.30)
From 3rd April 2022
· Statutory Maternity Pay – first 6 weeks at 90% of gross weekly pay and then up to 33 weeks at £156.66 (increased from £151.97) or 90% of average weekly earnings (whichever is less)
· Statutory Paternity Pay - £156.66 per week (increased from £151.97) or 90% of average weekly earnings (whichever is less)
· Statutory Adoption Pay – first 6 weeks at 90% of gross weekly pay and then up to 33 weeks at £156.66 (increased from £151.97) or 90% of average weekly earnings (whichever is less)
· Statutory Shared Parental Pay - £156.66 per week (increased from £151.97) or 90% of average weekly earnings (whichever is less)
From 6th April 2022
· Statutory Sick Pay - £99.35 (increased from £96.35)
The average gross weekly wages that an employee is required to earn in order to qualify for these benefits has also risen to £123 or more from £120.00.
Staying up to date with the various statutory payments that your employees may be entitled to is crucial in order to avoid complaints and potentially expensive disputes and claims.
Need Help?
If you have any questions about staff pay and how to manage your workforce, please contact Julie Edmonds, Head of Employment, by email on jedmonds@jpclaw.co.uk, telephone 0207 644 7286 or contact her on LinkedIn.
