Growth and Skills Levy 2026: How redundancy, redeployment, and settlement agreements change for tech, construction, and engineering workers
Key Takeaways The 2026 Growth and Skills Levy affects redundancy and settlement offers by making employers consider retraining and redeployment options before finalising financial packages for tech, construction, and engineering workers. If you face redundancy under the new levy rules, you may be offered levy-funded retraining instead of or alongside a traditional ex gratia settlement […]
UK settlement agreement tax rules 2026: what employees can claim tax-free under the £30,000 threshold amid 2026 HMRC updates
Key Takeaways The UK settlement agreement tax rules 2026 let employees receive up to £30,000 tax-free for genuine termination payments, including ex gratia sums and statutory redundancy pay. Payments such as outstanding salary, holiday pay, bonuses, commission, PILON or PENP are fully taxable and do not count towards the £30,000 tax-free threshold. Any settlement agreement […]
TUPE settlement agreements in 2026: protecting rights when businesses transfer under new public sector energy procurement frameworks
Key Takeaways TUPE settlement agreements in 2026: protecting rights when businesses transfer under new public sector energy procurement frameworks are only legally valid if you receive independent legal advice from a qualified solicitor. Your contractual terms, length of service and most employment rights automatically transfer to any new employer when a public sector energy contract […]
Garden leave: employee rights, pay, and settlement agreement strategy
Key Takeaways Garden leave means you stay employed and on full pay during your notice period but usually cannot start another job or contact clients. You are entitled to your normal salary, benefits, and holiday accrual throughout garden leave in the UK, including rights to a tax-free element of redundancy pay if eligible. Employers can […]
ACAS early conciliation: step-by-step guide, timelines, and settlement agreement tips
Key Takeaways ACAS early conciliation is a free and mandatory process giving employees a chance to resolve workplace disputes, including redundancy and unfair dismissal, before an employment tribunal claim. Starting ACAS early conciliation pauses tribunal time limits, preserving your rights and giving time to negotiate or seek a settlement agreement. If you reach a settlement […]
Employer contribution caps for settlement advice in 2026: what the typical £250–£500 + VAT limit means for employees
Key Takeaways Employer contribution caps for settlement advice in 2026 typically range from £250 to £500 plus VAT—these limits usually only cover basic legal advice, not negotiations or complex issues. Settlement agreements are only legally valid if you obtain independent legal advice from a solicitor, as required by section 203 of the Employment Rights Act […]
Discrimination settlement agreements in 2026: typical compensation ranges and key terms UK employees should review
Key Takeaways Discrimination settlement agreements in 2026: typical compensation ranges and key terms UK employees should review will help you understand if your offer is fair based on Vento bands and recent awards. Our solicitors can assess the value of your discrimination compensation, factoring in injury to feelings, financial loss, redundancy pay, and whether any […]
Same-day settlement agreement advice: why 24-hour independent legal advice certification protects employees under urgent exit deadlines
Key Takeaways Same-day settlement agreement advice ensures you do not miss urgent exit deadlines or risk losing financial compensation offered by your employer. A settlement agreement is only legally binding if you receive independent legal advice from a qualified SRA regulated solicitor, as required by the Employment Rights Act 1996. Our solicitors can deliver 24-hour […]
Settlement agreement tax: how the £30,000 threshold applies to redundancy and exit payments in 2026
Key Takeaways The £30,000 tax-free threshold for settlement payments applies in 2026 UK redundancy and exit deals, covering most statutory and ex gratia payments made on termination of employment. Any redundancy or settlement payment over £30,000 will be taxed under PAYE, and your employer must also pay Class 1A National Insurance Contributions on the excess. […]
New 2026 ACAS settlement agreement guidance: what employees must know before signing
Key Takeaways Under the New 2026 ACAS guidance on settlement agreements: what employees must know before signing this summer, you have a minimum 10-day period to consider any offer before signing. A settlement agreement is only legally binding if you get independent legal advice from a qualified SRA regulated solicitor, as required by s.203 Employment […]
