Autumn Budget 2021 – Minimum Wage increases

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak confirmed that the government has accepted in full the proposals of the Low Pay Commission for increasing minimum wage rates from 1 April 2022. This puts the government back on track to reach their minimum wage target of two-thirds of median earnings by 2024.

The new National Living Wage (NLW) rate of £9.50 will come into effect on 1 April 2022 and represents an increase of 59p or 6.6%. The NLW is the minimum hourly rate that must be paid to those aged 23 or over. The threshold is expected to further reduce to 21 by 2024. The increase represents a pay rise of over £1,000 for someone working full-time and earning the NLW.

The hourly rate of the NMW (for 21-22 year olds) will increase to £9.18 (a rise of 82p or 9.8%). This increase narrows the gap with the NLW and leaving this age group on course to receive the full NLW by 2024.

The rates for 18-20 year olds will increase to £6.83 (a rise of 27p) and the rate for workers above the school leaving age but under 18 will increase to £4.81 (a rise of 19p). The NMW rate for apprentices will increase by 51p to £4.81.

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Breaking even – checking the numbers

In previous newsfeeds we have described how you can calculate the level of turnover you need to create in order to meet all your costs whether they be fixed costs (rent, rates etc.,) or variable costs (goods you need to buy to convert into goods you sell).

For example, if your fixed costs are £50,000 per annum and your variable costs are 25% of your turnover, the annual turnover you need to breakeven will be £200,000. The formula is:

Annual fixed costs divided by 25 (the gross profit)

Bereavement Support Payment

The amount of Bereavement Support Payment you can claim will depend on your relationship to the person who died and when you make your claim.

Your payments will be paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

If you were married or in a registered civil partnership with the person who died

If you were receiving Child Benefit when your partner died (or did not get it but were entitled to it), you will get the higher rate.

This is made up of:

a first payment of £3,500;

Tax codes for employees

The P9X form is used to notify employers of the tax codes to use for employees. The latest version of the form has been published and shows the tax codes to use from 6 April 2023. The form states that the basic personal allowance for the tax year starting 6 April 2023 will, as expected, be £12,570 (£12,570 in 2022-23) and this means that the tax code for emergency use will remain at 1257L.

The basic rate limit will be £37,700 (£37,700 in 2022-23) except for those defined as Scottish taxpayers

Properties not let at commercial rates

There are special rules where a property is let at less than a commercial rate or isn’t let on commercial terms. These rules also apply if a property is occupied rent free or at less than a commercial rate, for example, a property is occupied by a family member at a reduced or nil rent.

In these circumstances, HMRC can take the view that unless the landlord charges a full market rent for a property and imposes normal market lease conditions, it is unlikely that the expenses of the property are

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