The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
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Queen’s Speech delivered in the House of Lords in scaled -back ceremony 12 May 2021
On 11 May 2021, the Queen officially reopened Parliament, and provided an overview of what the Government’s priorities will be for the year ahead.
In a scaled-back ceremony, designed to consider coronavirus-related restrictions, the Queen spoke for ten minutes and discussed ‘levelling up’, the Armed Forces, security, infrastructure, housing, education and the environment. Of key interest to payroll professionals was the reference to the eight new freeports that will be established in England, and the National Insurance (NI) break for freeport employers to be included in a National Insurance Contributions Bill. More information is available here. The Skills and Post- 16 Education Bill also has the potential to impact the work of payroll departments as a new “flexible loan” system is planned, and it is hoped that this will encourage higher l evels of participation in further education in England.
Additionally, a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office stated that there w ould be a change to the current student loans system, as new legislative measures will work towards:
“Enabling a new student finance system to transform the current student loans system, which will give every adult access to a flexible loan for higher-level education and training at university or college, useable at any point in their lives.”
CIPP comment
Noticeably absent from the speech was any update on the progress of the Employment Bill, which was due to contain measures to enhance and protect existing workers’ rights. It was also to include steps on the creation of a Single Enforcement Body. The CIPP’ s Policy team will keep a look out for any updates in this space, and will publish them in News Online and across social media platforms.
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In-person right to work checks delayed until 21 June 13 May 2021
The mandatory reinstatement of face-to-face right to work checks as opposed to digital checks has been delayed until 21 June 2021, as opposed to the originally intended date of 17 May 2021.
The Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) confirmed the news, which comes following campaigning by the groups, alongside other stakeholders.
A letter was submitted to the Home Secretary, which stated that various employment groups felt that the previous deadline was “unreasonable” and “unrealistic from an operational point of view” due to the safety compliance procedures that need to be implemented. Additionally, the letter reasoned that digital right to work checks should be allowed on a permanent basis, as this would ensure a “more agile and robust process” behind getting people into work, which would be in clear alignment with t he Government’s post - coronavirus “build back better” agenda.
The Home Office is yet to confirm this in writing, but as soon as an announcement is made, updates will be provided in News Online, and also across the CIPP’s social media platforms.
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
Payroll: need to know
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