Policy News Journal - 2014-15

The Fit for Work referral service was rolled out in Sheffield and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board areas last week, so GPs in those areas were the first in England and Wales to be able to refer their patients for an assessment by a Fit for Work occupational health advisor.

Nationwide roll out of Fit for Work referrals (for GPs and employers) across England and Wales will take place over the coming months (see the roll out map for more details).

Whilst referrals are limited to GPs and employers, everyone can access work-related health advice in the form of guides on the advice hub , live chat (a form of instant messaging) and the chance to ask questions by email .

There is also a free English (0800 032 6235) and Welsh (0800 032 6233) telephone advice line.

Anyone can sign up for updates from Fit for Work in addition to the regular blogs and case studies that will be appearing on the Fit for Work website.

Student Loans

Student loan repayment threshold for tax year 2014/15

23 January 2014

HMRC has confirmed to the CIPP that from 6 April 2014 the student loan threshold will rise from £16,365 to £16,910.

2014/15 thresholds for student loan borrowers in the current Income Contingent Repayment (ICR) scheme:

 Annual - £16,910  Monthly - £1,409  Weekly - £325

The rate of deduction remains the same at 9%.

Student Loans – changes to incorporate into payroll software

16 April 2014

From 2016 student loan repayments will be calculated against two thresholds.

HMRC’s Software Developers Support Team (SDST) have provided an update on the changes that will need to be incorporated into your payroll software.

Currently in student loans we have an annually increasing threshold limit that software developers need to know about to update their payroll software. The detail comes from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) who are responsible for student loan policy and legislation. From April 2016 repayments will be calculated against two thresholds depending on the year and where in the UK the loan was taken out. This note is to make you aware these changes will need to be incorporated into your payroll software. Software developers are being

CIPP Policy News Journal

08/04/2015, Page 484 of 521

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