As is standard for this time of year, there are a number of legislative changes which will take effect in April 2016 which employers should be aware of. The most publicised of these is the introduction of the National Living Wage.
Living wage
From the 1st April 2016, employers will be required to pay employees over the age of 25 the National Living Wage, which will initially be £7.20. Effectively, this becomes the new minimum wage for such employees. The rate is expected to remain the same when the minimum wage rates are subject to their annual review in October 2016, for younger employees and apprentices.