Latest news with #PetitionsParliament
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
New calls to exempt people from paying National Insurance Contributions after 35 years
A new online petition is urging the UK Government to change the current policy on National Insurance deductions. Income tax rises for Scots in April - how the changes affect you A new online petition is calling for National Insurance (NI) deductions to be scrapped once someone has contributed 35 years' worth and is entitled to the maximum State Pension rate in retirement. The State Pension age is currently 66, but set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. Many people approaching retirement age may not be aware that to receive the full New State Pension payment of £230.25 each week, they will need around 35 years' worth of NI contributions. You will usually need at least 10 qualifying years on your National Insurance record to qualify for any State Pension payment. Petition creator Debra Fielding argues that the current system is 'unfair' and people 'should be able to stop paying after we have reached 35 years of NI contributions'. The 'exempt people from paying National Insurance Contributions after 35 years' petition has been posted on the UK Government's Petitions Parliament website and states: 'I urge the Government to exempt people from paying National Insurance after reaching the 35 years of NI contributions required to receive the basic state pension. 'I believe we should be able to stop paying after we have reached 35 years of NI contributions.' The campaigner continues: 'I believe it to be unfair of people still paying NI after they have achieved the 35 years. I feel the situation has been made more unfair by raising the State Pension age. 'By the time I retire at 67, I could have paid 16 years more than the 35 years for full pension - that's 51 years NI paid as I worked since the age of 16.' If you are worried about how many years you need to work - if retirement is a long way off, or just a few years away - our handy guide below should help you understand how National Insurance contributions affect the amount of State Pension you will be paid. How to get any New State Pension payment You will need at least 10 qualifying years on your National Insurance record to qualify for any State Pension, but they don't have to be 10 qualifying years in a row. This means for 10 years at least one or more of the following applied to you: you were working and paid National Insurance contributions you were getting National Insurance credits for example if you were unemployed, ill, a parent or a carer you were paying voluntary National Insurance contributions If you have lived or worked abroad you might still be able to get some New State Pension. You might also qualify if you have paid married women's or widow's reduced rate contributions - find out more about this on the website here. How to get full New State Pension payments The first thing to understand is that the term 'full' means the maximum amount of New State Pension a person can receive. You will need around 35 qualifying years to receive the full New State Pension if you do not have a National Insurance record before 6 April 2016 - this may be more if you were 'contracted out', find out more here. For people who have contributed between 10 and 35 years, they are entitled to a portion of the new State Pension, but not the full amount unless they buy additional NI years. Qualifying years if you are working When you are working you pay National Insurance and get a qualifying year if: you're employed and earning over £242 a week from one employer you're self-employed and paying NI contributions You might not pay National Insurance contributions because you're earning less than £242 a week. You may still get a qualifying year if you earn between £123 and £242 a week from one employer - find out more here. Qualifying years if you are not working You may get National Insurance credits if you cannot work - for example because of illness or disability, or if you're a carer or you're unemployed. You can get National Insurance credits if you: claim Child Benefit for a child under 12 (or under 16 before 2010) get Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance receive Carer's Allowance If you are not working or getting National Insurance credits You might be able to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions if you're not in one of these groups but want to increase your State Pension amount. Find out more on the website here. What if there are gaps in your National Insurance record? You can have gaps in your NI record and still get the full New State Pension. You can get a State Pension statement which will tell you how much State Pension you may get. You can then apply for a National Insurance statement from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to check if your record has gaps. If you have gaps in your National Insurance record that would prevent you from getting the full New State Pension, you may be able to: get National InsuranceI credits make voluntary National Insurance contributions Check your National Insurance record on here. Check your State Pension age Check your State Pension age to find out when you can retire and claim State pension using the free online tool at here. This will tell you: when you will reach State Pension age your Pension Credit qualifying age We have a dedicated section for the latest news on the State Pension here.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
New calls to give every household three-month Council Tax payment breather
An online petition argues local councils are not providing services for which the bill pays. A new online petition is calling for all local authorities to pause Council Tax payments for three months because they are not providing the services for which it is paid. Petition creator Hitesh Solanki argues that failures including not collecting bins, fixing potholes and keeping the streets clean are reasons to merit a three month payment pause. The 'require councils to pause Council Tax bills for three months' petition has been posted on the Petitions Parliament website. It states: 'We want the UK Government to require councils to pause Council Tax bills for three months as we feel they are not delivering on the jobs we pay for such as collecting bins, fixing pot holes and keeping the streets clean.' It continues: 'We feel the current service is not fair. For example, if we don't pay our bills to HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs), we get fined, but we think local government is not effectively held to account. We don't think we should have to pay when the services we want are not delivered.' At 10,000 signatures of support, the petition would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government and at 100,000, it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. You can view it online here. It's important to be aware that Council Tax in Scotland is overseen by the Scottish Government, however, local authorities set the annual amounts per band. Below is a quick guide on how to check your Council Tax bill and a list of circumstances which could see you paying less each month. Check if you could be exempt from paying Council Tax You will not pay Council Tax if: You are a full-time student You are in the Armed Forces in Forces accommodation You live in a care home or hospital Your home is unoccupied and empty (up to six months) - for example, if you've gone into hospital You have a severe mental impairment (e.g. dementia) - if you only live with someone who has dementia, then you'll be treated as a sole occupant as they will be disregarded, but you won't both be exempt Contact your local authority about your eligibility and how you can apply for an exemption - a link to all 32 local authorities in Scotland is at the bottom of this page. Could you be eligible for a discount on your Council Tax bill? There are some circumstances where you may get a reduction on your Council Tax and the amount of discount varies depending on your circumstances. If you live alone The full Council Tax is calculated assuming there are two or more people living in each home – if you live alone, you should apply to your local council for a discount - you could get a 25 per cent reduction, regardless of your financial circumstances. If you live with someone under 18 or a student Council Tax is not calculated for anyone aged under 18, full-time students, student nurses and some apprentices or trainees. If you are a carer Carers who look after someone in the household for at least 35 hours per week and who meet additional criteria may be disregarded for Council Tax purposes, contact your local authority for their eligibility criteria. Just be aware, this doesn't apply if the person receiving care is the partner of the carer, or is the carer's child aged under 18. If there are major changes to the value of your home You may be able to get your home moved to a lower band if it has decreased in value. For example, if you have made home adaptations for a disabled person, or if a motorway has been built nearby. You may also get the band lowered if a room in the house is dedicated to equipment used by a disabled person on a daily basis. If you change the way you pay Although the total year's amount will stay the same, you can request your bill be split over 12 months instead of 10, so you can spread the cost and reduce your monthly outgoings. Alternatively, if you can afford to pay the whole bill in one lump sum, check with your local council if you can get a discount. Apply for Council Tax Reduction You may be eligible to claim a Council Tax Reduction if you're on a low income or claiming certain benefits. You can also claim Council Tax support regardless of whether you own your own home or rent, or whether you're working or unemployed. Each local council is responsible for operating their own Council Tax support scheme, so the amount of support given across the country may vary. The amount you will get depends on many factors, including: Which benefits you receive Your age Your income Your savings Who you live with How much council tax you pay You may get more Council Tax support if you receive a disability or carers benefit. If you receive the Guarantee Credit Part of Pension Credit you may even get your Council Tax paid in full. If you don't have it, but are on a low income and have less than £16,000 in savings, you may still get some help. Local councils Contact your local council from the list below to apply for a Council Tax Reduction or discount. Inverclyde Renfrewshire West Dunbartonshire East Dunbartonshire Glasgow East Renfrewshire North Lanarkshire Falkirk West Lothian Edinburgh Midlothian East Lothian Clackmannanshire Fife Dundee Angus Aberdeenshire Aberdeen Moray Highland Na h-Eileanan Siar Argyll and Bute Perth and Kinross Stirling North Ayrshire East Ayrshire South Ayrshire Dumfries and Galloway South Lanarkshire Scottish Borders Orkney Shetland
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
New call to scrap tax and National Insurance deductions on overtime for emergency service workers
Nearly 6,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the UK Government to make the change. A new online petition is calling on the UK Government to scrap tax and National Insurance deductions on overtime paid to emergency service workers. Petition creator Robert Prentice argues that removing the deductions would improve financial situations for many emergency workers and encourage more people to do overtime. More than 5,750 people have already signed the 'no tax or National Insuranc e on overtime for emergency service workers' petition, which has been posted on the Petitions Parliament website. At 10,000 signatures of support, it would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government and at 100,000, it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. Mr Prentice's petition states: 'Members of the emergency services may regularly work overtime and sometimes do not have the choice but to work it because it may be an aid requirement or jobs may run over. We think that any overtime worked should not be taxed or subject to national insurance 'I would like this because it could allow hard working emergency service workers to be in a better situation financially. I think this change would also encourage more overtime worked leading to more resources on the streets as it would be more financially attractive and worth their time to do. I think more resources on the streets creates safer streets. Amongst other benefits.' A separate online petition is calling on the UK Government to scrap National Insurance contribution deductions for workers over the age of 60. People automatically stop seeing NICs deducted from payslips when they reach State Pension age, which is currently 66, but set to rise to 67 over 2026 and 2028. Petition creator Mike Haynes argues making workers over 60 exempt from paying National Insurance would 'make it easier financially for older people to survive'. He added: 'We are calling for this as many over-60s are struggling to survive due to what we believe has been incompetent government spending over the past 30 years.' The 'exempt workers over 60 from National Insurance payments' petition has been posted on the UK Government's Petitions Parliament website. At 10,000 signatures of support, it would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government, most-likely The Treasury. At 100,000 signatures, it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament - you can read it in full here. Understanding National Insurance The Chartered Institute of Taxation explains National Insurance is a tax on earnings paid by both employees from their wages and by employers (on top of the wages they pay out), as well as by the self-employed (from their trading profits). Technically National Insurance is a social security contribution rather than a tax, but really, it's a compulsory payment taken from you by the Government, a lot like a tax. Most people stop paying National Insurance contributions after reaching State Pension age. However, you only pay Income Tax if your taxable income - including your private pension and State Pension - is more than your tax-free allowances (the amount of income you're allowed before you pay tax). This has been frozen at £12,570 since the 2021/22 financial year, but will rise with inflation on April 6, 2028. Even if you're still working, when you reach State Pension age you usually stop paying National Insurance contributions. If you continue to pay them, you can claim back any National Insurance if you have overpaid. Full details of National Insurance contributions can be found on here.
Daily Record
23-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
New call to cut income tax rate in half for people earning under £50,000
An online petition is also urging the UK Government to increase the Personal Allowance to £15,000. Income tax rises for Scots in April - how the changes affect you A new online petition is calling for the basic rate of tax to be cut from 20 per cent to 10 per cent for all workers earning less than £50,000 per year. Petition creator Holly Millar is also urging the UK Government to increase the Personal Allowance from £12,500 to £15,000. The petition, posted on the Petitions Parliament website, states: 'We believe many are struggling financially. In our view, prices are too high, food and basic necessities cost too much, bills are increasing, people are having to choose between having a warm house or food. 'We believe young people can't afford to live independently as this could due to the current Personal Allowance. We believe the government needs to start thinking about the public and their needs.' The Personal Allowance has been frozen at £12,570 since the start of the 2021/22 financial year, however, earlier this year the UK Government announced it will rise with inflation from April 2028. A recent online petition calling for an increase to £20,000 received 281,792 signatures of support from across the UK and was debated by MPs in Parliament last month. It's also important to be aware there are different tax banding rates in Scotland and England. The Scottish Government now has six tax bands while there are four south of the border. Scottish tax bands 2025/26 Personal Allowance - up to £12,570, 0% Starter rate - £12,571 to £15,397, 19% Basic rate - £14,877 to £27,491, 20% Intermediate rate - £26,562 to £43,662, 21% Higher rate - £43,663 to £75,000, 42% Advanced rate - £75,001 to £125,140, 45% Top rate - over £125,140, 48% Tax thresholds in England and Wales 2025/26 Personal Allowance - up to £12,570, 0% Basic Rate - £12,571 to £50,270, 20% Higher Rate - £50,271 to £125,140, 40% Additional Rate - over £125,140, 45% At 10,000 signatures of support the petition will be entitled to a written response from the UK Government. At 100,000 it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. National Insurance deductions A separate online petition is calling on the UK Government to scrap National Insurance contribution deductions for workers over the age of 60. People automatically stop seeing NICs deducted from payslips when they reach State Pension age, which is currently 66, but set to rise to 67 over 2026 and 2028. However, petition creator Mike Haynes argues making workers over 60 exempt from paying National Insurance would 'make it easier financially for older people to survive'. He added: 'We are calling for this as many over-60s are struggling to survive due to what we believe has been incompetent government spending over the past 30 years.' The 'exempt workers over 60 from National Insurance payments' petition has been posted on the UK Government's Petitions Parliament website. At 10,000 signatures of support, it would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government, most-likely The Treasury. At 100,000 signatures, it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament - you can read it in full here.
Daily Record
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
New update on calls to increase State Pension to £427 each week to match minimum wage
More than 10,000 people have signed an online petition supporting calls to increase the State Pension to match the National Living Wage rate. More than 10,100 people have signed an online petition urging the UK Government to increase the New State Pension from £11,973 a year to £22,000, matching the annual income of someone working a 35-hour week on the National Living Wage. The petition is now entitled to a written response, most-likely from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The proposal put forward by Ken Marshall has been posted on the UK Government's Petitions Parliament website and would see all pensioners receive £427.35 each week - some £1,709 every four-week payment period - in-line with the 2025/26 National Living Wage rate of £12.21 per hour. The campaigner argues that the discrepancy between the State Pension and National Living Wage payments is 'distressing' and 'we must not allow our senior citizens, who have contributed so much to our society, to struggle through their sunset years'. Mr Marshall says that bringing the payments for 13 million pensioners into line with the National Living Wage is a 'matter of fairness and respect'. The 'pay pensioners the equivalent of the living wage of a 35 hour week ' petition has been posted on the Petitions Parliament website and states: 'The full rate of the New State Pension is now £11,973 a year, while the annual income derived from the National Living Wage for a 35-hour week will be above £22,000. We think there is a distressing discrepancy between these two figures. 'We must not allow our senior citizens, who have contributed so much to our society, to struggle through their sunset years. We consider that it is a matter of fairness and respect. We all deserve a decent life when we get old.' It concludes: 'We believe that all pensioners must receive the equivalent of the living wage at 35 hours a week as a minimum. This could ensure a better quality of life for our country's senior citizens and help ensure that no elderly person in our society has to face financial hardship.' At 100,000, the petition would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. You can view it in full here. National Minimum Wage rates 2025/26 The National Minimum Wage for people over 21 is now: £12.21 per hour £427.35 for a typical 35-hour working week £,709.40 every four-week pay period or £1,851.85 per month £22,222.20 over the 2025/26 financial year State Pension payment rates 2025/26 Full New State Pension Weekly payment: £230.25 Four-weekly payment: £921 Annual amount: £11,973 Full Basic State Pension Weekly payment: £176.45 Four-weekly payment: £705.80 Annual amount: £9,175 Future State Pension increases The Labour Government has pledged to honour the Triple Lock or the next five years and the latest predictions show the following projected annual increases: 2025/26 - 4.1% (the forecast was 4%) 2026/27 - 2.5% 2027/28 - 2.5% 2028/29 - 2.5% 2029/30 - 2.5% The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently rejected proposals in a similar petition calling for the State Pension to increase to £549 every week for every person over the age of 60. In a written response earlier this year, the DWP said that the UK Government 'has no plans to make State Pension available from the age of 60 or to increase State Pension to equal 48 hours of work a week at the National Living Wage'. The DWP response said that the UK Government is 'committed to supporting current and future generations of pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement' and highlighted Labour's commitment to the Triple Lock for the duration of this Parliament. The DWP continued: 'The State Pension and the National Living Wage have different purposes, and a direct comparison cannot be drawn. The National Living Wage is designed to protect low-income workers and provide an incentive to work. 'It is also worth noting that while State Pension is an entitlement based on a person's National Insurance record, it is legally a benefit. From the time of the 1946 National Insurance Act, which applied from the inception of the National Insurance scheme, retirement pension (latterly also known as State Pension), has always been classified in law as a 'benefit'.' DWP also explained how the New State Pension was introduced in 2016 to be a 'simpler, clearer, sustainable foundation for private saving, including workplace pensions supported through Automatic Enrolment'. DWP added: 'The introduction of Automatic Enrolment has both increased and equalised workplace pension participation rates between eligible men and women in the private sector. Together, the New State Pension and Automatic Enrolment provide a robust system for retirement provision for decades to come, with those on low incomes supported by Pension Credit which continues to provide a safety net.' The DWP also said there are no plans to bring the State Pension age back down to 60, explaining how it is a pay-as-you-go system funded by current taxpayers.
