During the first UK lockdown in Spring 2020 a small scale survey was carried out by telephone interviews to senior managers, owners and leaders of industry (private and public sector) by Sarah Cripps, this nominee. The majority had identified that lockdown had given them the time to exercise, take time out, support more independent businesses and their local communities; in summary gain a balance not only between working and living, but also gaining a greater balance within these domains themselves. As a business owner I am keen to adopt, adapt and apply the benefits for myself and my small team by offering a range of exercise and well-being programmes that would be funded by my business, Salad Skills Ltd. In the current taxation climate, this would be classed as a benefit in kind and employees would therefore have to pay tax. In addition to these personal tax liabilities, under current legislation, any fitness/wellbeing programmes funded by the company would attract employer’s NIC of 13.8%. Both of these are significant barriers to employers implementing such incentives to realise these beneficial outcomes. I appreciate there are ‘bike to work’ incentives but these have limitations; we along with many businesses have no showering facilities in our offices and the main route into our offices are via busy A roads. If we were to offer training and development in wellbeing areas this would not be tax deductable as it is not categorized as relating to the business sector we operate in. As an apprenticeship recruitment specialist we would not receive any tax benefits should we offer gym membership for example. The policy change I would therefore seek is a change in the HMRC charges that would be incurred should businesses wish to offer well being, exercise-related activities for staff. In an interview with Chris Evans, Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health pointed out that we all need to look after our mental health as a result of this pandemic. (Virgin Radio 13 January, 2021).given the additional financial pressures that covid has imposed on businesses , further taxation incentives are essential to realise the socio economic benefits that such an incentive could bring.
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