Legal News | 1.04.20

What is the National Minimum Wage?

On 1st April 2020 the National Minimum Wage increased to:

Hourly rate    Age

£8.72             25 and over

£8.20             21 to 24

£6.45             18 to 20

£4.55             School leave age to 17

£4.15             Apprentices

The above rates of pay will apply to the next pay reference period that begins on or after 1st April 2020 or when an employee reaches a new age bracket. For example, an employee paid on the 28th of the month will start receiving the new rate of minimum wage on the 29th April.

The above rates of pay will apply to the next pay reference period that begins on or after 1st April 2020 or when an employee reaches a new age bracket. For example, an employee paid on the 28th of the month will start receiving the new rate of minimum wage on the 29th April.

Statutory Sick Pay

On the 1st April 2020 Statutory Sick Pay per week increases to £95.85 per week.

Parental and Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2018

From the 6th April 2020 all those who suffer from the loss of a child under the age of eighteen, or suffer a stillbirth after twenty-four weeks of pregnancy, will be entitled to leave in one two week blocks or two one week blocks. There are no minimum service requirements for an employee to be eligible and can be taken any time within a fifty-six week period following the bereavement.

Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay

Where an employed earner is a ‘bereaved parent’, has worked with the employer for a continuous period of twenty-six weeks, was employed until at least the day of the child’s death and has received ‘normal weekly earnings’ for the eight week period leading up to the week of the child’s death they will qualify for Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay.

Holiday pay calculations

The reference period for calculating holiday pay for employees with variable hours will increase to fifty-two weeks from twelve weeks.

Employment particulars

If an individual starts work on or after the 6th April 2020, there will be a day one right to minimum particulars of employment under section 1 the Employment Rights Act 1996. This right will also be extended to workers.

Compensation Limits

The key compensation limits which come into effect from the 6th April 2019 are:

• Maximum week’s pay for calculating unfair dismissal basic and additional awards and statutory redundancy pay – £538

• Maximum statutory redundancy payment/ unfair dismissal basic award – £16,140

• Maximum unfair dismissal compensatory award – £88,519

• Failure to give written statement of particulars – £1,076 or £2,152 (two or four weeks’ pay calculated at the statutory amount)

If you would like more advice on this topic, please contact the Commercial Team at Wansbroughs on 01380 733300, or at commercial@wansbroughs.com.

Last updated 01/04/2020