PAYE and NI

Talks have started in Brussels on whether the UK is to retain its opt-out from the EU’s Working Time Directive.

The government is to be advised not to push ahead with the planned introduction of compulsory equal pay reviews in the forthcoming Equalities Bill.

Employers are being advised that, as from 16 March, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is sending out penalty notices to those firms yet to file their 2007-08 form P11D(b) Class 1A National Insurance contributions annual returns.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has judged that the UK’s retirement age of 65 does not contravene EU regulations.

Employers need to remember that the old A5 version of the P45 form will no longer be valid as from 6 April.

Job vacancies are falling at a record rate, a new report has found.

Firms with 50 or more staff have been urged to get ready for important changes to the PAYE system that are due to come into effect this April.

The government is being urged to set up a wage subsidy scheme in order to help hard-pressed employers weather the economic downturn.