The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2010 came into force with effect for pay periods starting on or after 1 January 2011, meaning that travelling and subsistence expenses eligible for tax relief under ITEPA 2003, s 338 will not count when calculating national minimum wage (NMW) pay.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and HMRC are aware that a number of travel schemes and umbrella business models are being marketed to claim to continue to provide savings for the employer and be compliant with the NMW from 1 January.
The offered savings include:
- paying subsistence expenses rather than travelling expenses;
- classifying workers as directors;
- holiday pay adjustments; and
- under-recording hours worked
The Revenue says these measures do not comply with the requirements of legislation for workers paid at, or close to, the NMW; the department intends to take appropriate action against firms that seek to circumvent legislation by using such schemes.
