Latest news with #MakeWorkPay
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Thousands of people in work to receive back payments from their employer
Over 40 businesses in Scotland have been identified by the UK Government for failing to pay their employees the minimum wage. Income tax rises for Scots in April - how the changes affect you The UK Government has announced that workers who have been left out of pocket by their employer will receive arrears payments, in its latest move to Make Work Pay. This follows a significant uplift to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage for the 2025/26 financial year - giving full-time employees an extra £1,400. The Employment Rights Bill will deliver the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation. As part of the Plan for Change, the Labour Government's priority is to grow the economy and raise living standards. It said a strong economy can only be built when people have financial security while in work and robust enforcement action will be taken against employers who do not pay their staff correctly. Across the UK, 518 businesses were found to have failed to pay their workers over £7.4 million in a breach of the National Minimum Wage law, leaving almost 60,000 workers out of pocket, including 44 businesses in Scotland. The businesses named by the UK Government have since paid back what they owe to their staff and faced financial penalties of up to 200 per cent of their underpayment. The investigations by His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) concluded between 2015-2022. Minister for Employment Rights Justin Madders said: 'There is no excuse for employers to undercut their workers, and we will continue to name companies who break the law and don't pay their employees what they are owed. 'Ensuring workers have the support they need and making sure they receive a fair day's pay for a fair day's work is a key commitment in our Plan for Change. This will put more money in working people's pockets, helping to boost productivity and ending low pay.' National Living Wage and National Minimum wage rates National Living Wage rate: 21 and over - £12.21 per hour 18 to 20 - £10.00 Under 18 - £7.55 Apprentice - £7.55 The minimum wage law applies to all parts of the UK, if you think you are being underpaid, visit here to find out more about what to do. Workers can also call the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 or visit their website for free, impartial and confidential advice or complain to HMRC at Pay and work rights helpline and complaints
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Currys' boss calls on govt to show it's serious about getting people back to work
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE boss of Currys has called on the Government to show it is serious about getting people back to work. Instead, he says, it is making employing staff 'riskier, harder and more expensive'. 5 Currys boss Alex Baldock has called on the Government to show it is serious about getting people back to work Britain faces a worklessness crisis with three million on sickness benefits and a million young people not in education, training or employment. Alex Baldock, chief executive of the electricals chain, points out that retailers are the biggest private sector employer and, along with hospitality firms, often give people their first jobs and help to get back into work with flexible, part-time roles. But he believes these opportunities risk being cut off if the Government goes ahead with its shake-up of employment rights. Mr Baldock said: 'The Make Work Pay reforms threaten the viability of the very jobs the Government wants to protect. "Retailers need flexibility because shops are busier at some times than others. 'Saturdays are busier than Tuesdays and December is busier than February so we need to flex up and down how many colleagues we have on the shop floor accordingly.' He says the biggest problem is demanding that firms give a contract to a worker based on average hours worked in the previous 12 weeks. This could apply to those taking extra shifts in the run-up to Christmas. Mr Baldock added: 'We'd end up paying for hours we don't need and can't afford. "The result is we won't be able to offer them at all. Millions hit by benefit cuts as Rachel Reeves warns 'if you can work, you should work!' in bid to fix 'broken system' "The Government wants to protect workers, but workers need somewhere to work. 'The riskier, harder and more expensive it is for business to employ people, the fewer jobs there will be.' Retailers have already been burdened with £7billion of extra costs following the Budget. Mr Baldock highlighted that Currys makes just £1.80 of profit for £100 gadgets it sells, a thin margin. He said: 'The Government said the Budget was an ugly necessity but these employment reforms are a choice. "It's a choice they don't have to make.' There is growing frustration that firms that could be hiring and expanding are being hamstrung. Mr Baldock said: 'The Government is slashing red tape elsewhere and it's great to see them tackling planning reforms and leaning on regulators for growth. "But the Employment Rights Bill is the odd one out.' 5 Mr Baldock highlighted that Currys makes just £1.80 of profit for £100 gadgets it sells RAYE OF HOPE FOR GAMERS BRITISH gamers could soon be thanking Donald Trump for helping them get their hands on sought-after Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. Stock from China destined for the US is coming to the UK instead as firms try to avoid the President's trade tariffs — increasing supply of the hotly-anticipated gaming tech promoted by singer Raye and her sisters. 5 Raye promotes the new Nintendo Switch 2 consoles 5 British fans could get their hands on the console easier thanks to Trump Credit: Getty However, Currys boss Alex Baldock has warned that the move could also see Britain become a dumping ground for 'unsafe, tax-dodging tat'. The Chancellor has announced a consultation into low-value imports after intense lobbying from retailers. USE US, RACHEL.. DON'T HAMMER US EVERYONE wants to get Britain back to work. Three million people of working age are not working for health reasons. A million 16 to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training. It's a desperate — and unaffordable — waste of human talent. Meanwhile, retailers such as Currys are the country's biggest employers. We give first jobs to school leavers, part-time jobs to students and carers, and a way back to work for parents. It doesn't take a genius to see the solution here. Retailers create the good, flexible jobs tailor-made to get people back to work — and get the welfare bill down. But just when the Government needs more people back into work, its actions pull the other way. Retailers such as Tesco and B&Q have warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves the industry will have to employ 300,000 fewer people due to a barrage of new costs and red tape. Retailers want to help, and we can. Our ask of Government is simple: Enlist businesses like us, don't hammer us. Let us play our part in getting Britain back to work. BUYING'S STAMPED ON IN DIP HOUSE prices slipped in April as a stamp duty increase for buyers dampened demand. The average property fell by 0.6 per cent to £270,752, according to Nationwide's house price index. 5 House prices slipped in April as a stamp duty increase for buyers dampened demand Credit: Getty The drop follows a rush of house sales in March, when buyers raced to complete their property purchases before the duty discount was scrapped. Separate figures by HMRC show that the number of property transactions jumped by almost two thirds from 109,700 in February to 177,370 in March. Karen Noye, mortgage expert at Quilter, said: 'Residential transactions jumped over 60 per cent compared to February as many were racing against the clock.' An update from housebuilder Taylor Wimpey yesterday struck a positive tone, saying falling mortgate rates had boosted its new home orders. A clutch of lenders is now offering home loans below four per cent. UNILEVER PAY ROW ALMOST a third of investors rebelled against a pay package for Unilever's new boss. Fernando Fernandez is set to receive a £1.5million basic salary and perks including £763,000 to move house. He justified his salary as saying the company needed to recruit talent and highlighted the support of activist investor Nelson Peltz, who is on its remuneration committee. Shareholder advisers at ISS had recommended investors vote against the pay package. MORE than 80 per cent of shareholders have approved Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's £3.6billion takeover deal of Royal Mail. Parent firm International Distribution Services will be delisted from the London stock market on June 2. ASTON U.S. LIMIT JAMES Bond favourite Aston Martin said it will limit deliveries of its luxury cars to the US due to Trump's tariffs. The British firm has been hit hard by the 25 per cent rate on all foreign cars by one of its most lucrative markets as it makes its Vantage and Vanquish models in the UK. Rivals Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis withdrew profit forecasts due to uncertainty. Trump has offered relief to makers who can assemble vehicles in the US. But firms are already under pressure in the shift to electric vehicles. LOST LANGUAGE DUOLINGO, the language learning service, is going to replace contract workers with artificial intelligence. Boss Luis von Ahn said in an email to staff the company would 'gradually stop using contractors to do work that AI can handle'. As part of its 'AI-first' approach, Duolingo yesterday launched 148 new language courses that were created using generative AI. Mr von Ahn said it had taken 12 years to create 100 courses, which have a gaming approach to lessons and exercises. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Currys' boss calls on govt to show it's serious about getting people back to work
THE boss of Currys has called on the Government to show it is serious about getting people back to work. Instead, he says, it is making employing staff 'riskier, harder and more expensive'. 5 Britain faces a worklessness crisis with three million on sickness benefits and a million young people not in education, training or employment. Alex Baldock, chief executive of the electricals chain, points out that retailers are the biggest private sector employer and, along with hospitality firms, often give people their first jobs and help to get back into work with flexible, part-time roles. But he believes these opportunities risk being cut off if the Government goes ahead with its shake-up of employment rights. Mr Baldock said: 'The Make Work Pay reforms threaten the viability of the very jobs the Government wants to protect. "Retailers need flexibility because shops are busier at some times than others. 'Saturdays are busier than Tuesdays and December is busier than February so we need to flex up and down how many colleagues we have on the shop floor accordingly.' He says the biggest problem is demanding that firms give a contract to a worker based on average hours worked in the previous 12 weeks. This could apply to those taking extra shifts in the run-up to Christmas. Mr Baldock added: 'We'd end up paying for hours we don't need and can't afford. "The result is we won't be able to offer them at all. Millions hit by benefit cuts as Rachel Reeves warns 'if you can work, you should work!' in bid to fix 'broken system' "The Government wants to protect workers, but workers need somewhere to work. 'The riskier, harder and more expensive it is for business to employ people, the fewer jobs there will be.' Retailers have already been burdened with £7billion of extra costs following the Budget. Mr Baldock highlighted that Currys makes just £1.80 of profit for £100 gadgets it sells, a thin margin. He said: 'The Government said the Budget was an ugly necessity but these employment reforms are a choice. "It's a choice they don't have to make.' There is growing frustration that firms that could be hiring and expanding are being hamstrung. Mr Baldock said: 'The Government is slashing red tape elsewhere and it's great to see them tackling planning reforms and leaning on regulators for growth. "But the Employment Rights Bill is the odd one out.' 5 RAYE OF HOPE FOR GAMERS BRITISH gamers could soon be thanking Donald Trump for helping them get their hands on sought-after Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. Stock from China destined for the US is coming to the UK instead as firms try to avoid the President's trade tariffs — increasing supply of the hotly-anticipated gaming tech promoted by singer Raye and her sisters. 5 5 However, Currys boss Alex Baldock has warned that the move could also see Britain become a dumping ground for 'unsafe, tax-dodging tat'. The Chancellor has announced a consultation into low-value imports after intense lobbying from retailers. USE US, RACHEL.. DON'T HAMMER US EVERYONE wants to get Britain back to work. Three million people of working age are not working for health reasons. A million 16 to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training. It's a desperate — and unaffordable — waste of human talent. Meanwhile, retailers such as Currys are the country's biggest employers. We give first jobs to school leavers, part-time jobs to students and carers, and a way back to work for parents. It doesn't take a genius to see the solution here. Retailers create the good, flexible jobs tailor-made to get people back to work — and get the welfare bill down. But just when the Government needs more people back into work, its actions pull the other way. Retailers such as Tesco and B&Q have warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves the industry will have to employ 300,000 fewer people due to a barrage of new costs and red tape. Retailers want to help, and we can. Our ask of Government is simple: Enlist businesses like us, don't hammer us. Let us play our part in getting Britain back to work. BUYING'S STAMPED ON IN DIP HOUSE prices slipped in April as a stamp duty increase for buyers dampened demand. The average property fell by 0.6 per cent to £270,752, according to Nationwide 's house price index. 5 The drop follows a rush of house sales in March, when buyers raced to complete their property purchases before the duty discount was scrapped. Separate figures by HMRC show that the number of property transactions jumped by almost two thirds from 109,700 in February to 177,370 in March. Karen Noye, mortgage expert at Quilter, said: 'Residential transactions jumped over 60 per cent compared to February as many were racing against the clock.' An update from housebuilder Taylor Wimpey yesterday struck a positive tone, saying falling mortgate rates had boosted its new home orders. A clutch of lenders is now offering home loans below four per cent. UNILEVER PAY ROW ALMOST a third of investors rebelled against a pay package for Unilever 's new boss. Fernando Fernandez is set to receive a £1.5million basic salary and perks including £763,000 to move house. He justified his salary as saying the company needed to recruit talent and highlighted the support of activist investor Nelson Peltz, who is on its remuneration committee. Shareholder advisers at ISS had recommended investors vote against the pay package. ASTON U.S. LIMIT JAMES Bond favourite Aston Martin said it will limit deliveries of its luxury cars to the US due to Trump's tariffs. The British firm has been hit hard by the 25 per cent rate on all foreign cars by one of its most lucrative markets as it makes its Vantage and Vanquish models in the UK. Rivals Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis withdrew profit forecasts due to uncertainty. Trump has offered relief to makers who can assemble vehicles in the US. But firms are already under pressure in the shift to electric vehicles. LOST LANGUAGE DUOLINGO, the language learning service, is going to replace contract workers with artificial intelligence. Boss Luis von Ahn said in an email to staff the company would 'gradually stop using contractors to do work that AI can handle'. As part of its 'AI-first' approach, Duolingo yesterday launched 148 new language courses that were created using generative AI. Mr von Ahn said it had taken 12 years to create 100 courses, which have a gaming approach to lessons and exercises.
The Independent
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Workers' rights Bill could lead to cost increases and job cuts, retailers warn
Upcoming laws strengthening the rights of UK employees could prompt shops to hike prices and cut jobs, a retail trade body has claimed. About half of retailers believe the Government's upcoming employment rights reforms will lead to higher prices for customers, according to a poll by the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The survey of human resources directors across the retail sector found that a similar amount think the Bill will result in job losses. The proposed new law includes a right to guaranteed hours, cracking down on zero hour contracts without the offer of work. It will also bring in new restrictions on 'fire-and-rehire' processes when employees are let go and then re-employed on new contracts with worse pay or conditions. And it strengthens trade unions and gives workers certain 'day one' rights, such as sick pay, paternity leave and the right to request flexible working. The BRC's survey found companies are most worried about the guaranteed hours, which they say could make it harder to offer people part-time jobs. Helen Dickinson, chief executive at the BRC, added that the changes come after employment costs rose with the increase in national insurance contributions in April. She said: 'Those in charge of retail hiring are clear – unless amended, the Bill will make it even harder to keep and create jobs and reduce the flexibility that defines many existing retail roles. 'Retailers agree with Government on the need to crack down on unscrupulous employers, but in its current form the Employment Rights Bill could backfire, putting the brakes on hiring, or worse still, putting retail job numbers further into reverse. 'The Government wants growth and wants to reform welfare and increase the numbers in work. 'We are aligned on the objectives. 'Now it's about making sure the implementation of policies help not hinder retailers' ability to provide the very jobs the economy needs.' A Government spokesperson said: 'Through our transformative Plan for Change, this Government has delivered the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation, and our measures already have strong support amongst business and the public. 'Our Make Work Pay plan is designed around increasing productivity and creating the right conditions for businesses to support sustained economic growth. 'There is nothing in the Bill to stop employers using part-time contracts and we are committed to ending one-sided flexibility, ensuring there is a baseline of security and predictability so workers can better plan their lives and finances.'
Telegraph
12-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Starmer faces union backlash over benefits cuts
Sir Keir Starmer is facing a union backlash over plans to cut welfare. Paul Nowak, the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), warned the Prime Minister that cuts to benefit payments would 'only make the current challenges worse'. The remarks from the senior union figure mark his first intervention on Labour's plans to crack down on welfare payments, expected in the Spring Statement later this month. Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, is expected to make £5 billion in savings through tougher tests on a disability benefit called personal independence payments (PIP), designed to help with extra costs caused by the disability. Mr Nowak said: 'A major lesson from the Tory years is that austerity damaged the nation's health. We must not make the same mistake again. 'Pushing disabled people into hardship with cuts to support will only make the current challenges worse – and will not win public support.' He added: 'The Government's plan to Make Work Pay will ensure more better jobs. But cutting PIP is not the solution – not least because it enables many disabled people to access work so that they do not have to rely on out-of-work benefits.' The union backlash to the proposals piles further pressure on the Prime Minister and Chancellor, who are also coming under fire from their own back benches. Nadia Whittome, Labour MP for Nottingham East, said that Labour was 'getting it badly wrong on this'. She told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'It was wrong when David Cameron cut welfare, it would be wrong for us to do that now, because it's not disabled people who crashed the economy, or who were responsible for low wages or rising rents or falling living standards, and we must not scapegoat them for the failures and the political choices of Conservative government.' Sir Keir faces the biggest rebellion of his premiership over the cuts, with about 80 Labour MPs said to oppose the proposals to rein in public spending through radical welfare reforms. It is the latest in a string of controversial decisions on the two-child benefit cap, winter fuel payments, overseas aid and compensation for Waspi women which are causing anger among Labour MPs. The TUC boss said that reforms to the system were needed as it had 'too much of a one-size-fits-all approach' and that assessors 'lack medical expertise'. In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Nowak added: 'The Government should prioritise fixing these problems, with input from trade unions and organisations led by disabled people.' PIPs can be worth up to £9,600 a year and are designed to cover extra costs for people with disabilities and other health issues. Since they were introduced in 2013, the number of people using them has increased, especially for those citing mental health and anxiety issues. The expected changes would also raise the basic rate for Universal Credit paid to those searching for work, or in work, while cutting the rate for those judged as unfit for work. Some of the savings will be invested into employment support for those looking for a job. It comes as Sir Keir is grappling with the twin challenges of funding a rise in defence spending and plugging a £9 billion fall in the Government's fiscal headroom.
