Government shake-up | What are employee share schemes, and how do staff benefit from them?

Schemes offering people shares in their employer are set for a shake up as the government explores changes that will help boost business growth.

In a call for evidence launched this week, the government wants to hear views on Save As You Earn (SAYE) - which allows employees to buy discounted shares in their company if they save money each month for three to five years, and the Share Incentive Plan (SIP) - which allows companies to help their employees to purchase shares directly in their company or offer them as awards, tax free.