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UK Payroll Is Changing: Are You Ready for What’s Coming in 2026?

In this episode of Payroll Question Time, host Nick Day and a panel of leading payroll and compliance experts break down the most critical changes set to impact UK payroll over the next two years.

From the upcoming Employment Rights Bill to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) reforms, zero-hour contract regulation, and the rollout of Student Loan Plan 5, this episode is your comprehensive guide to navigating what's coming — and what it means for payroll professionals, HR teams, and business leaders.

We cover:

• The 2026–2027 Employment Bill roadmap
• Major changes to SSP rules and payroll calculation impact
• Zero-hour contract reforms and employee protections
• Pensions, parental leave, and the rise of Fair Work Agency enforcement
• New student loan thresholds and the confusion around Plan 5
• Cross-border payroll challenges with ROI and NI jurisdictions
• What HMRC is doing to fix disputed RTI charges
• Why compliance risks are rising — and how to prepare

Whether you’re a payroll manager, HR lead, finance director, or compliance officer, this episode is packed with the insights you need to stay compliant and ahead of the curve.

Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on notifications to stay updated with every Payroll Question Time.

Learn more about SD Worx Academy training courses: https://www.sdworx.com/en-en

Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e

Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

Our Panel:

Simon Parsons, Director of UK Compliance Strategies at SD Worx

Samantha Mann, Payroll Team Manager, Armstrong Watson

Richard George, Director of Education, The Payroll Centre

Mathew Akrigg, Policy & Research Officer, CIPP

Andy Nicholls, Payroll and Pensions Expert, Consultant

Struggling with global payroll complexity? Get Deel’s expert-backed playbook to automate payments, stay compliant in 100+ countries, and simplify multicountry payroll.

Download the report and future-proof your payroll strategy today: https://www.deel.com/resources/gartner-guide-multicountry-payroll-2024/?utm_medium=sponsored-newsletter&utm_source=nickday&utm_campaign=ww_engage_download_nickday_sponnewsletter_payrollnewsletter-gartnerreportpayroll-jul25_gp_all&utm_content=engage_gp_sponnewsletter_gartnerreportpayroll-sponnews400-fin_en

Payroll is no longer just about processing pay. It’s about people, data, trust, and strategy. In this solo episode, I explore why payroll is fast becoming one of the most strategic functions in business—and how it’s shaping the future of work.

From AI and automation to earned wage access, DEI, and employee wellbeing, I break down the trends that are transforming payroll into a true driver of business performance. I also explain what this means for payroll professionals today—and why the opportunity to lead has never been greater.

Whether you’re a payroll leader, HR executive, or business decision-maker, this episode will show you how payroll is evolving, and how you can stay ahead.

If this episode resonates with you, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your team. Let’s elevate payroll together.

Nick Day’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e

Stay tuned for the next episode of The Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!

Struggling with global payroll complexity? Get Deel’s expert-backed playbook to automate payments, stay compliant in 100+ countries, and simplify multicountry payroll.

Download the report and future-proof your payroll strategy today: https://www.deel.com/resources/gartner-guide-multicountry-payroll-2024/?utm_medium=sponsored-newsletter&utm_source=nickday&utm_campaign=ww_engage_download_nickday_sponnewsletter_payrollnewsletter-gartnerreportpayroll-jul25_gp_all&utm_content=engage_gp_sponnewsletter_gartnerreportpayroll-sponnews400-fin_en

Max van der Klis-Busink didn’t just write a payroll book. He created the guide he wished he had when he started his global payroll journey.

In this episode, Max breaks down the structure behind The Global Payroll Manager’s Playbook and why it's becoming an essential resource for payroll professionals worldwide. He explains how to turn payroll into a strategic business driver using his four-pillar framework: strategy, governance, operating model, and delivery.

You’ll hear stories about real payroll failures, lessons in leadership, and how the right KPIs can shift payroll from a cost center to a source of insight and trust. This is a conversation about purpose, precision, and progress.

If you're managing payroll at any level and want to elevate your impact, this episode is your blueprint.

Connect with Max:https://www.linkedin.com/in/passionforpayroll/

Max’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Global-Payroll-Managers-Playbook-Definitive/dp/B0F2SNJ622

Nick Day’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e

Stay tuned for the next episode of The Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!