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Business Information

EY Business InformationWelcome to our new business information page. Here we will share any key information, announcements or topical themes relating to the business side of Early Years.

Here are some changes to be aware of for the start of the new financial year, April 2025

1st April 2025

National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage Increases

Rates will increase as follows:

National Living Wage (21 & over): £12.21 (was £11.44, +6.7%)

18–20-year-old rate: £10.00 (was £8.60, +16.3%)

16–17-year-old rate: £7.55 (was £6.40, +18%)

Apprentice rate: £7.55 (was £6.40, +18%)

Useful resource:

Government National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage guidance 


6th April 2025

Increase to Employer's National Insurance

Two Changes:

  1. Employer’s National Insurance contributions will increase by 1.2 percentage points to 15% (from 13.8% currently)
  2. The point at which employers start paying National Insurance on an employee’s salary will be cut from £9,100 to £5,000 a year. So employers will now have to pay National Insurance contributions from when an employee earns £5,000 as opposed to £9,100 previously

Useful resource:

Government policy paper on Employer's National Insurance increase


Increases to Statutory Sick Pay and Parental Pay

Statutory maternity pay, maternity allowance, paternity pay, adoption pay, shared parental pay and parental bereavement pay will increase from £184.30 to £187.70 per week

Statutory sick pay will increase from £116.75 to £118.75 per week

Useful resource:

Government guidance


For more information on business matters, please visit:  https://www.gov.uk/browse/business

If you would like any business support please contact Lucy, our Early Years Business Development Officer                                

Email:  lucy.clarke@lewisham.gov.uk