Several changes to employment law came into force in April 2016, the most important of which was the new National Living Wage, introduced on 1st April 2016. This increases the minimum hourly rate of pay to £7.20 for workers aged 25 and over which employers are obliged to pay irrespective of their size.
On 6th April 2016 there was also an increase in the employment tribunal compensation limits with the maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal rising from £78,335 to £78,962. The maximum amount of a week’s pay, used to calculate statutory redundancy payments and various awards including the basic and additional awards for unfair dismissal, was also increased from £475 to £479.
Finally, new financial penalties that were introduced on 6 April 2016 will apply to employers who fail to pay employment tribunal awards or settlement sums.
Please note that the above does not constitute legal advice.