Latest News

Don't Take the State Pension for Granted

There have been several changes to the state pension system in recent years. This article will explain the current rules and hopefully alert to pitfalls which may result in lower amounts being received when reaching state pension age.

New Welsh Rate of Income Tax

With devolution comes different rates and ways of operating the tax system for our employees. However, unlike Scotland (SRIT) the Welsh Government only have powers to amend the rates of Income Tax and not the thresholds. The new powers come into force from 6 April 2019 but thankfully for the 2019/20 tax year, the rates will remain i.e. 20%, 40% and 45% as per the rest of the UK.  

What does the 2019/2020 tax year look like for payroll?

Payslips – New Legislation

New payslip legislation will come into force from April 2019.  The legislation will require all employers to provide a payslip to all ‘workers’ and to show hours on payslips where their pay varies by the amount of time worked. 

Payroll Team Shortlisted for 7 National Awards

Armstrong Watson Payroll team have been shortlisted six times in five different categories at the CIPP Annual Excellence Awards and the Rewards 2018

Ethical Technology: Who Decides?

I have recently received emails asking to engage with me regarding a new product, where payroll can assist, or rather, is required. We all know about the damage pay day loan companies can cause to our employees, along with high credit card charges etc. when there is an ad-hoc need e.g. washing machine breaks down. 

The new products on the block are all very similar in their delivery model:

Payroll Team Proud Finalists in City Business Awards

Armstrong Watson’s 21 strong payroll team are very proud to have been shortlisted in the prestigious Carlisle Living Awards for Best Professional Services Team.

The city based team, headed by Payroll Director Karen Thomson, have made it to the final three in their category, with the winner to be announced at the Garden at Eden on 21^st September.

The payroll team collectively handle payroll services for more than 1500 employers across the UK and process in excess of 28,000 payslips every month.

Commenting, Karen Thomson, Payroll Director, said,

Legislation that shouldn’t keep retailers awake at night

At a recent speaking engagement I spoke about current legislation that, some of my retail clients' inform me - keeps them awake at night! 

During my talk I went on to discuss my views way to solve these issues and reduce stress.

Firstly let's look at what are the major legislations affecting retailers?

National Living Wage / National Minimum Wage

Armstrong Watson's Payroll Professionals included in the exclusive 'The Reward 300' index

Armstrong Watson's very own Karen Thomson, Director of Group Payroll Services, and Suzanne Gallagher, Head of Payroll Operations, have both been included in the exclusive 'The Reward 300' index of the Pauroll profession's most influential leaders, Hear how to felt about this amazing accolade.

Changes Ahead You May Have Forgotten About

With the start of the new financial year, there may be some changes in Payroll Services that you may have forgetten about. 

Redundancy and Unpaid Trials: How Employment Law Imapcts Payroll

The payroll profession is itrinsically linked to employment law. You can be sure that if new legislation is announced under the title employment law, it was have some impact on payroll. Our Director of Payroll, Karen Thomson, runs through some recent cases where this has been exactly the case.