The Plan 1 student loan interest rate reduced to 6% (from 6.25%) from 30 August. This rate change applies across the UK with the Department for Education (DfE), the Welsh Government and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland (DfE NI) all confirming the change.
The reduction follows the Bank of England Base Rate changing to 5% earlier in August.
Those running payrolls and payroll bureaus should notice a reduction in student loan deductions for relevant employees in their September payrolls. If not, you may need to confirm that your payroll software has correctly updated.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/change-to-plan-1-student-loan-interest-rate-announcement
HMRC have concluded that the Cabinet Office failed to take reasonable care when applying the Off-Payroll Working (IR35) rules. The Cabinet Office has set aside £38.5 million for unpaid Income Tax, National Insurance and interest. A penalty of up to £8.9m could follow.
The Parliamentary Business, Innovation, Science, and Trade Committee has launched a consultation into the difficulties facing new entrepreneurs and how they are supported.