A reminder that increases to the rate of National Insurance contributions (NICs) that are paid by employers came into effect on 6 April 2025. The main rate of secondary Class 1 NICs has increased to 15% (from 13.8%). This applies to earnings above the secondary threshold for employees. In addition, both Class 1A and Class 1B employer NIC rates—typically applied to benefits-in-kind and PAYE settlement agreements—have also increased in line with the main secondary rate.

The Class 1 NICs secondary threshold, the level at which employers start to pay NICs, has been reduced to £5,000 (from £9,100) per year. This change took effect on 6 April 2025 and will last until 5 April 2028. After that, the threshold will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

To help mitigate the impact of these increases—particularly for smaller employers—the government has expanded the Employment Allowance. From April 2025, the allowance has risen from £5,000 to £10,500. The previous eligibility restriction, which limited the allowance to businesses with less than £100,000 in annual employer NIC liabilities, has now been removed. This change means more employers will now qualify for the allowance.