Our blogs

PAYE settlement agreement blog header

PAYE Settlement Agreements – what changes are coming in 2026 and will they remain relevant?

As we approach significant changes to UK payroll reporting requirements, what does the future hold for PAYE Settlement Agreements (PSAs). With HMRC’s announcement of mandatory payrolling for benefits in kind (recently delayed to April 2027), it’s crucial to understand how...

National Minimum Wage blog header

How unpaid overtime undermines National Minimum Wage

The problem is stark. Despite the UK’s robust national minimum wage framework, millions of workers are effectively earning below the legal minimum through unpaid overtime. This hidden crisis threatens the very foundation of worker protection laws and demands urgent attention....

Blog - cost of not understanding tronc schemes

Your payroll provider’s tronc blind spot could be costing you thousands

The hospitality industry has always been built on tips, but not every establishment was as fair with the distribution of these tips as they should be. The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 changed this. In 2024 it became law...

Payroll Simplified - Shared Parental Leave

Understanding Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and pay

Welcoming a new child into your family is one of life’s most significant moments. Shared Parental Leave (SPL) offers flexibility in how you and your partner can share time off work to care for your new arrival. But how exactly...

Blog - importance of payroll contacts

Why our clients love having dedicated payroll contacts

The payroll outsourcing game is a mess. Most providers treat you like just another number in their system. Endless call queues, different voices every time you ring, and having to explain your setup over and over again. Enough is enough....

10 tips for building client relationships

10 things you can do to build stronger client relationships

Building Client Relationships Building strong client relationships with your customers is key to any business’s success. I have been fortunate over the years to work with many company business leaders, teams, and suppliers during my career, helping shape managed payroll...

Blog - payroll tips for new businesses

Payroll tips for new businesses

Payroll Tips from Ascend Starting your own business is exciting, but hiring staff also means stepping into the world of payroll. And let’s be honest, it’s probably not the bit you were most looking forward to. Payroll might not be...

NMW and sleep-in shifts

National Minimum Wage and sleep-in shifts – understanding workers’ rights

The complex relationship between sleep-in shifts and the National Minimum Wage In certain sectors, many essential workers provide round-the-clock care in roles that include “sleep-in shifts”. These are periods where they must remain on-site overnight but can sleep when not...

Guide to IR35

A guide to IR35 (off-payroll working)

The IR35 off-payroll working rules have significantly changed how businesses engage with contractors in the UK. These regulations, designed to tackle what HMRC calls “disguised employment,” affect both contractors and the organisations that hire them. It’s a complex area, and...

Payroll Simplified - Pension calculations

Understanding pension calculations and different contribution methods

Pension calculations – How do they work? When it comes to workplace pensions, understanding how your contributions are calculated can significantly impact take-home pay and retirement savings. In this blog, we’ll explore the different pension calculation methods, with particular focus...

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