UK Money and Work Guides
Plain-English explanations of pay, tax and employment rights, written around the official 2026/27 figures.
What Is a Tax Code? 1257L and Other Codes ExplainedYour tax code tells your employer how much tax-free pay you get. Here is how to read it, and what to do if it is wrong.Is Redundancy Pay Taxable in the UK?Statutory redundancy pay is tax-free up to a limit, but not everything in your final payment is. Here is what is and is not taxed.How Holiday Pay Is Calculated in the UKHoliday pay should reflect what you normally earn. Here is how it is worked out, including for irregular hours.How National Insurance Works in the UKNational Insurance is a payroll tax that also builds your State Pension. Here is how it works and what you pay in 2026/27.Student Loan Repayments Explained (Plans 1, 2, 4 and 5)You repay 9% of what you earn over a threshold, and which plan you are on decides the threshold and write-off date.How to Read Your Payslip: Every Line ExplainedA payslip looks confusing, but it follows a simple pattern. Here is what each line means and what to check.The 60% Tax Trap: Earning Between £100,000 and £125,140Earn more than £100,000 and you start losing your tax-free Personal Allowance, which creates an effective 60% tax rate.Salary Sacrifice Explained: How It WorksSalary sacrifice swaps part of your pay for a benefit such as pension contributions, and saves both tax and National Insurance.How Bonuses Are Taxed in the UKA bonus is taxed like the rest of your pay, so how much you keep depends on your income and tax band.Made Redundant? Your Rights and What to Do NextRedundancy is stressful. Here is a clear checklist of your rights, the money you may be owed and the steps to take.