Premium rate service meaning

Summary The Deputy Pensions Ombudsman dismissed a complaint concerning entitlement to benefits. The Scheme had paid a contributions equivalent premium for one spell of employment, and it was implausible that a refund of the member’s contributions was not processed at the same time. Regarding a different employment period, there was no proof that the complainant was an active participant in the Scheme; this was consistent with him paying standard National Insurance contributions rather than the reduced rate ordinarily associated with membership of a contracted-out arrangement. The decision serves as a reminder that the burden rests with the individual to evidence scheme membership. What were the facts? Mr Y was a member of the NHS Pension Scheme (the Scheme). The Scheme was operated on a contracted-out basis...

In this issue: VAT Companies and corporation tax Employment taxes International Indirect taxes—gambling and insurance premium tax (IPT) Individuals and income tax Key developments LexTalk®Tax: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Useful information VAT FTT rules on the VAT treatment of locum medical practitioners (Isle of Wight NHS Trust v HMRC) As highlighted in last week’s Tax weekly highlights, in Isle of Wight NHS Trust v HMRC [2025] UKFTT 1114 (TC), the First-tier Tax Tribunal determined that applying the standard rate of VAT to supplies of locum medical practitioners to the Appellant was incorrect. It concluded the supplies were covered by the exemption in Item 5 of Group 7, Schedule 9, Part 2 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994. See News Analysis: FTT rules on the VAT treatment of locum medical practitioners (Isle of Wight NHS Trust v...

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z This glossary provides helpful (re)insurance and underwriting definitions. For focused guidance on reinsurance terminology, see Practice Note: Reinsurance—essentials. A Accident An unforeseen or unintended event or incident that typically results in damage or injury (physical or financial) to the insured or a third party. Accidental damage Unintended or unexpected harm or damage caused to property or a person. Accidental death benefit Some life insurance policies pay an extra amount, over and above the original sum insured, if the insured dies because of an accident. Act of God (force majeure) An occurrence beyond anyone’s control, such as a natural disaster. Active underwriter The person with primary responsibility and authority to accept insurance and reinsurance risks on behalf of the members of a syndicate in the Lloyd’s market. See also Underwriter. Actuary A qualified professional who...

This Practice Note centres on the alpha scheme. What is the alpha scheme? The alpha scheme, forming part of the Civil Service Pension (CSP) arrangements, took effect on 1 April 2015 as the reformed public service pension for civil servants. It is a career average revalued earnings (CARE) scheme. From 1 April 2015 it was the public service pension for civil servants, replacing future PCSPS accrual. Before alpha was introduced, the Principle Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) was the main pension for the civil service. The PCSPS comprises four sections: Classic, Premium, Classic Plus and Nuvos. The first three are final salary sections, while the fourth (Nuvos) is a career‑average section. For further details on the PCSPS, see Practice Note: The legacy Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS). When alpha was launched, the government acted to close the PCSPS to future accrual, subject to: the retention of a final salary link in the PCSPS for active members, meaning benefits built in the PCSPS...

FORTHCOMING CHANGES : At Budget 2025, the government opted not to proceed with a single remote betting and gaming duty, reversing an earlier consultation proposal. The decision reflects the view that remote betting (staking on real‑world events with variable odds) and remote gaming (games of chance) have different features and differing levels of harm, and so warrant distinct tax treatments. Instead, the government confirmed it will: raise the remote gaming duty from 21% to 40% from 1 April 2026 to reflect the greater harm linked to remote gaming; and bring in a new 25% GBD rate for remote betting from 1 April 2027. Remote betting on UK horse racing will be excluded from the new rate, as will bets placed via self‑service betting terminals on licensed premises. These will continue to be taxed at 15%. The government also announced that: bingo duty will be abolished from 1 April 2026; and legislation will be introduced to close...