8 new laws coming into force in April - including changes to car tax, minimum wage and HMRC payments
Changes to paying taxes, divorce proceedings and receiving benefit payments from the government will take effect from April
A series of new laws will be introduced from April which will affect millions of people across the country.
The changes cover a number of areas, including new rules for divorce proceedings, receiving government payments and paying taxes.
The National Minimum Wage is set to rise from April, meaning it will be law for employers to pay their staff no less than the new rates.
The increase in wages comes amid the cost of living crisis which could leave workers paying 7% more for the price of goods from next month.
Some of the new regulations from April will only affect businesses, but others will impact the general public.
Listed are eight upcoming changes that you need to know.
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1. VED rates are going up
Vehicle Excise Duty (also known as car tax or road tax) is due to rise in line with inflation from April. The amount of tax motorists have to pay will depend on the age of their car, and how environmentally friendly it is. Zero emission vehicles, including electric cars, will continue to pay £0 tax for the first year on the road.
2. HMRC payments
From 5 April, HMRC will stop making payments to Post Office card accounts. Customers must notify HMRC of their new account details and can choose to receive benefit payments to a bank, building society or credit union account. Anyone who fails to update their HMRC of their new account will have their payments paused.
3. Minimum wage increase
The National Minimum Wage will rise from 1 April. The hourly rate for all workers aged 23 and over will rise by 59p to £9.50, while those aged 21 to 22 will see a rise of 82p, with the rate increasing from £8.36 to £9.18 per hour. The apprentice wage will also rise by 51p from £4.30 to £4.81 per hour. It will be law for employers to pay their staff no less than the new rates.
4. New divorce laws
Changes to the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 in England and Wales will come into force on 6 April. The new legislation aims to reduce the potential for conflict among divorcing couples by removing the ability to make allegations about the conduct of a spouse, and allowing couples to end their marriage jointly. The act also introduces a minimum of 20 weeks between the start of proceedings and application for conditional order, providing couples with a period of reflection and the chance to reconsider. It will also no longer be possible to contest a divorce, except on limited grounds such as jurisdiction. As the changes are brought in, the online service currently in place will not be available from 31 March.