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WHY I AM A MEMBER
“The bespoke information has been invaluable for my career and employment; I don’t feel alone anymore. I have the peace of mind knowing my income is protected with my BGA insurance.”
Jenny Hooch
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News
The National Minimum Wage rises today
Upcoming increases to the National Minimum Wage (NMW), means equestrian businesses must adapt to remain compliant and viable.
On the 1st April, the rates of all age bands will rise.
There is also a significant change with the age eligibility threshold of the National Living Wage (NLW) being lowered to 21 years.
The awareness of the legal right to be paid NMW is the highest it’s ever been.
Grooms are growing in confidence to report employers for non-compliance and employers who underpay their staff face a fine of 200% of the arrears.
The new rates are:
| 21 and over | £11.44 |
| 18 - 20 years | £8.60 |
| Under 18 | £6.40 |
| Apprentices | £6.40 |
The Minimum Wage is not a choice to pay, it is the law and non-compliance is a prosecutable offence. HMRC has already identified the equestrian sector as one of a high level of non-compliance.
The EEA says,
“We must update the way the industry operates. We’ve got to streamline the daily running of the yard, including the staffing resource. Could just one groom perform the morning feeding duties, with the rest arriving later? This small change could save an employer a significant amount of their annual wage bill.”
The impact for employers this year is huge. For example:
A 20-year-old groom on the NMW is currently paid £7.49 per hour. If they are working an average of 50 hours per week, their annual salary is £19,474 (£7.49 X 50 = £374.50 X 52).
When they turn 21 this year, their new salary will be £29, 744 (£11.44 x 50 = £572 X 52).
That's an increase of £10,270 in their annual salary!
Don't get caught out
The EEA recommends that employers take these three, critical actions to help them to remain compliant:
1. Identify which staff are due the new rate
2. Update payroll and communicate the changes to staff
3. Ensure staff are being paid for every hour worked, including over time, and that deductions are lawful
Find out more about the NMW rises here: https://equestrianemployers.org.uk/NMW
JOIN US FOR SUPPORT
The EEA is here for you and your business. If you need support, you can get in touch with us at any time here.
If you’re not a member yet have a look at how we can help you, JOIN NOW for just £49.50.
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What the personal accident policy covers you for:
- Whilst at work
- All stable duties – mucking out, grooming, washing off, turning out
- Clipping
- Riding – including hacking and jumping
- Hunting
- Lunging
- Breaking in
- Holding horse for a vet and other procedures
- Travelling horses both in the UK and abroad
- Competing in line with your job including: jumping, dressage, eventing
- Injuries that may happen to you whilst you are teaching - but you must also be grooming as part of your duties and not be a sole instructor
What the personal accident policy doesn’t cover you for:
- Riding in a race, point to point or team chase
- Stunt Riding
- Accidents occurring whilst travelling to and from work
- Riding and competing your own horse (but you can upgrade when applying for membership to include this)
- Public Liability – this is a separate insurance policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance
- Care Custody and Control – this is a separate policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance
If you require additional cover then please contact KBIS directly.
| GROOM | RIDER | EMPLOYER | |
|
When you are working for other people you do most of the following; muck out, turn out/catch in, tack up, groom horses, exercise Horses (including hacking, jumping and schooling), in the care of your employer/client. |
|
|
|
| Predominantly ride horses for other people including schooling, exercising and competing. | NO |
YES |
YES |
| Provide grooming services for someone else either full time or on a freelance basis i.e. an employer or a client. | YES |
NO |
NO |
| Employ staff – have an employers liability policy in your name | NO | NO | YES |
| Buy and sell horses | NO | YES | YES |
The BGA is the national representative body for all
grooms working in the UK or British grooms abroad.
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