How HR will be affected by today's legislative changes

Salary sacrifice

Jack Curzon, Head of Scheme Design at Thomson Online Benefits, and who features in this month’s issue of HR Grapevine, labelled the salary sacrifice changes “one of the worst kept secrets in recent Budgets”. But, he assures us, “the actual changes were not that radical”.

He continues: “Fortunately, common sense from the Government prevailed and HMRC confirmed that it will support the most sought after benefits, including employer pension contributions, employer supported pensions advice, childcare provisions, annual leave purchase and cycle-to-work schemes. Ultra-low emission vehicles were the only surprise benefit to also be protected and credit should be paid to the lobbying work of the car industry.”

This is an opportunity for HR to “step back thoroughly understand the implications on their business and future-proof their benefits programmes,” especially as these reforms “are likely to go further in future”.