Category Archives: National Insurance Contributions (NICs)

‘The Growth Plan’ seems to be on it’s knees. What does this mean for Bectu freelance members?

Posted on October 14, 2022 by Paul Evans

Update: I’m not deleting this post because I think deleting posts is usually a mistake. But I will say that most of what it contained on the 14th October 2022 was irrelevant three days later as the BBC’s Faisal Islam … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, IR35, National Insurance Contributions (NICs), Tax | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Sunak’s spring statement 2022 – initial details

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Paul Evans

Firstly, with inflation up again at 6.2% from 5.5%, the growth forecasts are fairly conservative at the moment and “we don’t really know how the situation in Ukraine will affect all of this” runs like a subtext to all of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Freelance working, Inflation, Low pay, National Insurance Contributions (NICs), Productivity, Tax | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Why ‘the freelance deal’ is a big deal – and not just for the workers concerned.

Posted on November 18, 2021 by Paul Evans

There’s a long read on this site about the ‘contingent production army’ that manages large parts of the entertainment industry. Thinking about this issue, and processing it has allowed me to get a clearer idea of what our grievances are … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullying and Harassment, Disability equality, Employment, Employment Law and Rights, Employment status, Equality, Freelance working, Freelancer rights, Gender equality, Gig economy workers, Health & Safety, IR35, Long hours, Management, Mental Health, National Insurance Contributions (NICs), Occupational Health, Personal Service Companies, Productivity, Race equality, Tax, Theatre and Live Events data | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

National Living Wage will rise to £9.50 an hour

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Paul Evans

The 59p increase for workers over 23 – up 6.6% from £8.91 reflects the inflationary pressure outlined here a few weeks ago. The new rates will rise from 1 April 2022 as follows: National Living Wage for over-23s: From £8.91 … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Inflation, Low pay, Minimum wage rates, National Insurance Contributions (NICs), Pay & inflation, Tax, Trades Unions, Wages and Pay-rates, Wealth inequality | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

IPSE on the Dividend Tax and NIC increases

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Paul Evans

Some light weekend reading for you: IPSE have a post up outlining how the NIC increases to pay for social care will impact freelancers, along with a view that the changes to Dividend Tax means that “Government is making it … Continue reading →

Posted in Freelance working, Freelancer rights, IR35, National Insurance Contributions (NICs), Personal Service Companies, Tax | Tagged , | Leave a comment

More analysis of Social Care Levy announcement

Posted on September 8, 2021 by Paul Evans

There’s a useful Twitter thread here from The Resolution Foundation with some overnight analysis of yesterday’s announcements, along with a report. There’s also a panel discussion here if you’re really interested… NEW OVERNIGHT ANALYSIS: yesterday the PM pushed Conservatives away … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour Party, National Insurance Contributions (NICs), Politics, Tax, The Conservative Party | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The proposed new Health and Social Care Levy

Posted on September 7, 2021 by Paul Evans

I won’t go into the question of whether or not it’s right to fund this in this way here – this post is mainly an outline of what the proposed levy means for workers in general and freelance workers in … Continue reading →

Posted in National Insurance Contributions (NICs), Tax | Tagged , | 2 Comments

National Insurance Contributions to rise?

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Paul Evans

This story is a few weeks old now, but today I’ve been reminded of just how much the balance between NIC and taxes changes the dynamics in those big decisions that people make when deciding to be a freelancer or … Continue reading →

Posted in Freelance working, National Insurance Contributions (NICs), Personal Service Companies, Tax | Leave a comment

Calculating Tax and National Insurance

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Paul Evans

When you are self-employed, it is good to know how much tax (and other contributions) you are paying, how to make sure that your tax is fair when you are going to be expected to pay it (so that you … Continue reading →

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Statutory Sick Pay and freelance working

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Paul Evans

For the purposes of this post, I’m taking the term ‘freelance’ in its broadest form. Many people who are on either short fixed-term contracts, or non-permanent PAYE contracts tend to regard themselves as ‘freelancers’. People who are ‘self-employed’ have few … Continue reading →

Posted in Disability equality, Employment Law and Rights, Equality, Freelance working, Freelancer rights, Illness and disability, National Insurance Contributions (NICs), Welfare and benefits | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Understanding National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for the self-employed

Posted on June 29, 2021 by Paul Evans

Employees generally pay higher NICs than the self-employed unless they are very low paid. This is because Class 2 NICs are currently charged at a flat rate of £3.05 per week (2021-2 figures) If you are self-employed, you pay two … Continue reading →

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