Employers may need to ‘reassess their staffing levels, recruitment plans, and compensation packages’

Hey Folks! Big Pay‑Raise & NIC Changes Coming Your Way

Starting April 1st, the UK just beefed up the National Living Wage and tweaked National Insurance Contributions (NICs). It’s a win‑win for workers but a heads‑up for employers.

What It Means for You – The Workers’ View

Adults (21+): Get a 6.7% bump in pay.
Youngsters & Apprentices: Even bigger hikes – a real boost for those on the lower‑end ladder.

These rises are designed to push life a touch more comfortable, especially as the economy’s been on a bit of a roller‑coaster lately.

And For You – The Employers’ Side of Things

Heads up! The new wages + NIC tweaks trap a higher cost on your payroll, especially if you’ve got a large or entry‑level‑heavy team. Here’s the lowdown:

NIC rates climb from 13.8% to 15%.
The secondary NIC threshold drops from £9,100 to £5,000.

This means you’ll need to reshape budgets—think smarter automation, tighter controls, and maybe a bit of team‑organizing wizardry.

Meet Grateful: Your New Sidekick

Grateful, a cashless tipping platform, is stepping in to make smooth the transition. They’re all about:

Automating tip‑pooling so no one has to do the tedious math.
Giving teams crystal‑clear visibility on where their tips are going.
Hooking up independent tronc schemes to tease out NIC exemptions—fewer costs for you, higher take‑home for your crew.

“We cut down on paperwork chaos and toss you live insights,” says Mason Potter, co‑founder. “With our tool, firms can forecast finances on the fly and snag great talent.”