We round-up the latest news affecting schools.
DfE publishes new directive and guidance on remote education
The Department for Education (DfE) has issued a new directive for English schools that are entirely state funded. They’re now required to provide remote education to pupils aged 16 and under who are unable to attend school due to coronavirus. When meeting this duty, schools need to take the remote education direction explanatory note into account.
The obligation will last from 22 October 2020 until the end of the current school year.
The DfE has also updated its guidance on remote education good practice. This explains how to replicate classroom teaching remotely. Schools have to do what’s possible using their existing resources.
Government reduces the numbers of laptops available for disadvantaged pupils
According to news reports, headteachers across England have been told that the government won’t provide as many laptops to disadvantaged pupils as expected. In many cases, allocations have been slashed by up to 80%. DfE guidance hasn’t yet been updated to reflect this, and still says that ‘disadvantaged children in years 3 to 11 who don’t have access to a device and whose face–to-face education is disrupted’ are eligible.
Home Office updates guidance on right to work checks for EU citizens
Employers don’t have to make any changes to the right to work checks they conduct on EU citizens until 30 June 2021.That’s according to new Home Office guidance on right to work checks.
Until this date, job applicants can prove their right to work in the following ways:
EU, EEA or Swiss citizens and their family members who are living in the UK before 1 January 2021 need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.
Coronavirus: flat-rate homeworking expenses for 2020–21
Employees who have to work from home because of coronavirus restrictions can claim tax relief from the government on their working from home expenses.
Employees have an option of claiming tax relief of £6 a week from 6 April 2020, or claiming the exact amount of the extra costs they’ve incurred (if they opt for this, they’ll need receipts). This only applies if their employer isn’t contributing to their additional expenses.
But, HMRC has confirmed that employees can claim the £6 a week flat rate for the whole of the 2020–21 tax year, regardless of how long the individual has to work from home. That’s a gain of £62 a year for basic rate taxpayers and £124 a year for higher rate earners.
Employees can apply online for the tax relief.
New guidance on government programmes available for employers in England
The Education and Skills Funding Agency has published guidance, which sets out the range of government programmes available for employers who are offering work experience or considering hiring new employees in England. The guidance provides information about apprenticeships, industry placements, the Kickstart scheme, traineeships and the sector-based work academy programme. It includes any employer incentives available under these, as well as employer costs, and duration and outcomes of the programmes.
ONS reports that London has the highest ethnicity pay gaps in Great Britain
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published an analysis of ethnicity pay gaps in Great Britain. For a second year, it’s found that white British employees in London are paid almost a quarter more than their BAME colleagues. But, more encouragingly, the ethnicity pay gap between white and ethnic minority employees has narrowed to its smallest level – 2.3% – since 2012 in England and Wales.
The report provides an overview of statistics on earnings and employment for different ethnic groups in Britain. It uses regression analysis to gain insight into the factors which impact pay for different ethnic groups. The figures came from the Annual Population Survey, and the definition of ethnicity pay gap adopted is based on the difference between the median hourly earnings of the reference group (white or white British) and other ethnic groups.
Poll suggests most employers support tightening employment laws
Around 64% of 600 UK business leaders would support tougher employment laws and a higher minimum wage to protect workers from exploitation and poverty. That’s according to a poll conducted by the Centre for Progressive Policy. Restricting or eliminating the use of zero-hours contracts was supported by 25%.
The group argues that the COVID-19 crisis has ‘intensified labour market pressures amongst an increasingly insecure workforce’. It recommends that the government:
- Clarifies employment status in law, and introduce a statutory presumption that a person is a worker unless it can be proved they’re self-employed
- Eliminates the use of zero hours contracts
- Protects workers’ rights post Brexit
- Sets up a single labour market enforcement body
New HMRC bulletin published
HMRC has published the latest version of its Employer Bulletin, providing up-to-date information the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Job Retention Bonus. It also outlines the numerous training and support materials HMRC has made, and is making available, ahead of the implementation of the changes to the off-payroll IR35 regime in April 2021. Plus, it includes details of the changes for UK employers sending/employing workers to/from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland from 1 January 2021.
Read more – November 2020
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