Topics

Pay and benefits

New and updated

  • Date:
    18 March 2026
    Type:
    Survey analysis

    Pay award forecasts for 2026

    The first pay awards of 2026 have shown some growth compared with 2025, but is this new year boost likely to last the year? We look in detail at organisations' pay award plans for the coming 12 months.

  • Type:
    Quick reference

    State pension rates

    Updated to reflect the state pension rates for 2026/2027. Employers may use these updated figures to support employees in planning for retirement. Additionally, there may be cases where employees choose to work beyond state pension age. In such situations, if an employee is receiving a state pension, it could affect payroll processes, particularly regarding national insurance contributions. 

  • Type:
    Quick reference

    National insurance lower earnings limit

    Updated to include the rate of the lower earnings limit for 2026/27. Employers will need to review payroll systems and ensure statutory pay is applied correctly.

  • Type:
    Quick reference

    National minimum wage

    Updated with the national minimum wage rates in force from 1 April 2026, so employers can review pay and update payroll systems.

  • Date:
    18 February 2026
    Type:
    Commentary and insights

    April 2026 employment law changes: Six-point checklist for HR

    In April 2026, HR professionals face the challenge of dealing with business-as-usual employment law changes, such as increases in statutory maternity, paternity and sick pay, while also dealing with a raft of major changes introduced by the Employment Rights Act 2025. We look at what HR needs to do to meet its employment law obligations this spring.

  • Date:
    18 February 2026
    Type:
    Survey analysis

    Pay trends February 2026: A first look at the 2026 pay settlement landscape

    Following a year defined by steady pay deals, cost pressures and a softening labour market, we turn our attention to the pay award outlook for 2026.

  • Date:
    13 February 2026
    Type:
    Podcasts and webinars

    Webinar: Building transparent reward frameworks

    In this webinar you'll learn how pay grading strengthens fairness, clarifies role value, supports progression, reduces legal and reputational risk, and enhances communication across your organisation.

  • Date:
    11 February 2026
    Type:
    News

    Working over-65s contribute four times pensions 'triple lock' to UK plc

    People continuing to work past state pension age contribute more than £60bn to the UK economy each year, equivalent to four times the projected annual cost of implementing the pensions 'triple lock', an analysis has argued.

  • Type:
    Legal timetable

    Requirement to consult employee representatives on allocation of tips policies

    Updated with details of the Government's consultation on the Employment Rights Act 2025 measures to strengthen the law on tipping.

  • Type:
    Employment law guide

    Pensions auto-enrolment

    Updated to reflect the Government’s decision to freeze auto-enrolment thresholds for 2026/27 at 2025/26 levels.

About this topic

HR and legal information and guidance relating to pay and benefits.