CBI report proposes to improve living standards
A report launched by the Confederation of British Industry at their recent conference has called on the government to improve living standards by increasing the national insurance threshold and also by extending free childcare to working parents of one and two year olds.
The proposals would increase the earnings threshold at which employees start to pay National Insurance to £10,500 by 2020/21, from the current rate of £7956. Other recommendations include extending maternity pay from the current 39 weeks to 52 weeks.
With regards to childcare, the free weekly provision of 15 hours per week, currently available to children aged three to four, would be extended to include children between one and two-years-old.
John Cridland, CBI director-general commented: “The UK needs to face up to some real long-term challenges. Changing skills needs, greater global competition and low social mobility mean for many the pathway to a better life is tough and far from clear.
“But the answers do not lie in short-term sticking plaster fixes, like intervening in pay or attacking the UK’s flexible labour market, which will ultimately cost jobs. Instead, we need to invest in productivity, skills and education to make the best of Britain’s talents.”
If you’d like information on maternity leave or paternity leave and your rights at work, please contact Ashley Hunt, Carrie-Ann Randall, Alex Reid or Vaishali Thakerar at Lawson-West on 0116 212 1000.
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