The April 2026 Payroll Checklist | SSP Overhaul, Fair Work Agency and Fiscal Drag Explained
Join Steve Yardley and our expert payroll panel on Payroll Question Time as we explore all the key issues currently affecting the world of payroll!
Title: 🌟 The April 2026 Payroll Checklist | SSP Overhaul, Fair Work Agency and Fiscal Drag Explained 🌟
Host: 🎙️ Steve Yardley, Managing Director, JGA Recruitment Group
Episode Overview:
🔊 In this insightful episode of The Payroll Podcast, host Steve Yardley and a panel of payroll experts break down everything hitting UK payroll on April 2026, from SSP day one rights to the Fair Work Agency launch and EV salary sacrifice traps.
Key Topics Discussed in this Episode:
- Fiscal drag and frozen thresholds: what the rise in tax revenue to 37-38% of GDP means for employees and employers
- Scottish income tax band changes and what payroll teams need to update
- Student Loan Plan 5: the new starter checklist rules and how to apply them correctly
- Statutory payment rate increases for SSP, SMP and parental pay
- Payrolling benefits in kind: voluntary registration deadline and preparing for mandatory payrolling in 2027
- Fair Work Agency launch on 7 April: enforcement powers, naming and shaming, and what it means for compliance
- National Minimum Wage pitfalls: unpaid working time, salary sacrifice traps, apprentice rates and the 389 employers named and shamed
- Holiday pay complexity: average pay calculations, audit risk and Fair Work Agency enforcement ahead
- Statutory Sick Pay overhaul: day one rights, two-tier rates, transitional protections and software readiness
- Pensions update: frozen auto-enrolment thresholds, pensions dashboard progress and tax relief confusion
- EV and hybrid car salary sacrifice: myths debunked, NMW risks, company car tax increases through to 2028-29 and maternity leave traps
Our Panel
Steve Yardley, Managing Director- Simon Parsons, Director of UK Compliance Strategies at SD Worx
- Richard George, Payroll Leader
- Sam Mann, Payroll Consultant, Armstrong Watson LLP
Useful Links From This Episode:
- 🌳 Greenify Talent: JGA Planet Positive (ESG) Recruitment Solution
- 👤 Nick Day LinkedIn Profile
- 📢 JGA Payroll Recruitment
- 🎧 Check out our sister podcast, The HR L&D Podcast
PAYROLL LEADERS – I CALL YOU ALL TO ACTION! 📢
🙏 Thank you for tuning in to The Payroll Podcast. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we continue to dive into the fascinating world of payroll! 🎧🌍
If you need the support of a payroll recruitment agency to help fill your next payroll vacancy, please please contact me! I possess over 20 years of payroll recruitment agency expertise and I would love to help! nick@jgarecruitmentinc.com or call 01727 800377
Find out more at: www.jgarecruitmentinc.com.
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