POLICY HUB
On your behalf
As Halloween took place last month, 'don't be scared, be prepared' was the motto for the CIPP's policy and research team . The team were busy getting ready for for the CIPP's Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE) 2023, but the hard work didn't stop there... Policy team update
We ACEd it ACE is the much anticipated event of the year for payroll professionals and this one was the biggest to date! With nearly 400 guests attending ACE 2023, it was an incredible two full days at the Celtic Manor in Wales. Our 2023 conference programme included 20 workshop sessions, split across five streams, over two days. Policy lead, Samantha O’Sullivan and policy and research officer, Mathew Akrigg presented a policy team update, to cover the latest hot topics and potential future developments in payroll legislation and policy. ACE is the biggest independent payroll conference and exhibition in the UK, and provides an invaluable opportunity for professionals to educate, collaborate and celebrate all things payroll, pensions and reward. A huge thank you to all sponsors, speakers and guests. It was ‘no tricks and all treats’ for the Annual Excellence Awards 2023 winners. Almost 600 guests attended the CIPP’s 20th awards, which is amazing. Once again, congratulations to all the winners and those who were shortlisted. Events Editor, Lora Murphy and Mathew facilitated two virtual think tanks meetings with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The head of new data policy, strategic data policy at HMRC, delivered an update on the findings and plans from the ‘ Improving the data HMRC collects from its customers ’ consultation, which ran in 2022. HMRC reached out to the CIPP to arrange these think tanks with our members, to inform them of the changes being made, and to gather thoughts and feedback around the proposed amendments. At the CIPP, we understand the differences in processing payroll in an in-house or in a bureau setting, therefore we ran a think tank for each environment payroll is processed in. HMRC also used these think tanks to update members on the progress it has made since last year
and seek input / support on the work it has underway, to ensure collaborative policy development. The discussion covered the following: l a brief overview of the policy l update on the draft Finance Bill l update on the development of secondary legislation and next steps l any policy and technical questions. Policy and research officer, Meena Salhan joined a research roundtable organised by the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF) regarding enhancing and developing tax incentives to make giving more accessible. The UK has some of the most generous tax incentives to help people in all income brackets support causes they care about. But with over 500 million of gift-aid going unclaimed, payroll giving is in decline and inheritance tax reform is threatening charitable donations. In recognition of this, discussion was held on how these promising areas of giving can be improved. Meena also represented the CIPP at the accessible payroll giving project. Contributions to these roundtables will help the CIOF with research into how to encourage more people to donate to charity, with findings published next year. Samantha attended the UK’s biggest pensions conference, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) Annual Conference, held in Manchester. Pension leaders, pension scheme advisers, trustees, professional trustees and chief executive officers were present to discuss every aspect of pensions. Talks also delved deeper into what the future holds, including how artificial intelligence and technology will impact pensions and the workforce, and what could change before and after the next general election. Samantha also made a trip to the House of Lords to attend a roundtable discussion hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for health, and chaired by Lord Bethell, on statutory sick pay. The roundtable bought together members of Parliament, peers, health experts and trade unions to
hear about the benefits of sick pay reform and to discuss what can be done next to ensure these reforms become legislation. Mathew represented the CIPP at an Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) roundtable to discuss the code of practice for predictable working patterns. The outcomes will feed into guidance which will be constructed to help employers get predictable working pattern requests and processes correct. Are we there yet? Consultations were still on the to-do list for the team last month. Two formal responses were submitted for the below: l Draft regulations: proposed amendments in respect of salary advances l Joint HMT-HMRC consultation on tax incentives for occupational health. We encourage everyone to continue responding and contributing to consultations that are of interest. Setting the benchmark The CIPP Benchmarking Survey Report 2023 is now available. Thank you to all participants who made this report a success. The study explored: l payroll team structures l payroll frequencies l error rates l key performance indicators l pensions l current trends. This is all to allow you to benchmark your company against existing industry standards. This report can be accessed in the ‘MyCIPP’ area if you are member. Never fear, the policy team are here! We’re all ears, with the King’s speech on 7 November 2023, followed by the autumn statement on 22 November 2023. Rest assured, we have you covered and will be providing live updates across our social media platforms and News Online page on both dates. n
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | November 2023 | Issue 95 6
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