Warning over law change

CHANGE is just around the corner, but are you prepared?

Sue Dowling, partner at Thames Valley law firm Blandy & Blandy, is encouraging businesses to swot up on employment law as big changes come into force.

From today, a number of reforms which affect both employers and employees are being introduced.

Under new rules, the National Living Wage has now been extended to those aged 23 and over.

The new hourly rate will also rise, from £8.72 to £8.91 per hour.

On Tuesday, April 6, Statutory Sick Pay will rise to £96.35 per week from £95.85, while the lower earnings limit remains unchanged at £120 per week.

The weekly rates for statutory family leave, which includes maternity and paternity pay, and adoption and paternity pay, will increase too.

These will rise from £151.20 per week to £151.97 on Sunday.

Finally, changes are also being made to employment tribunals.

From Tuesday, April 6, the maximum weekly pay for a worker made redundant will rise from

£538 to £544.

This means maximum statutory redundancy pay will also fall in line with unfair dismissal basic award pay, at £16,320.