Why are low paid excluded from the cycle to work scheme?

[Beetlebum]

According to Wikipedia the rules of the scheme state....

Employers of all sizes across the public, private and voluntary sectors can implement a tax exempt loan scheme for their employees. The employees wishing to participate should be paid through the PAYE system. The scheme is not available to the self-employed or employees on the National Minimum Wage.


Why are people on the NMW excluded when we would benefit most?And how far above the NMW do you have to be to qualify? I'm on 7.65 is that still too little?

 

[hegley]

your earnings should be more than the National Minimum Wage after the salary sacrifice is taken from your gross salary.

Calculator here should help: How much can I save? - Cyclescheme

 

[Looby]

It's because your earnings can't be reduced below minimum wage.
Press Release: Salary sacrifice changes must apply to the lowest paid on an equal basis, say the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group | Low Incomes Tax Reform Group

I have no idea how to calculate how much you need to earn to qualify, it would depend on the amount of the salary sacrifice.

 

[Sprocket.]

It is ridiculous that those on the NMW cannot at least gain some benefit from the cycle to work scheme. After all they are more likely to be the members of the workforce who struggle most with the cost of public transport, never mind being able to afford their own transport.
Sadly due to the upcoming election MPs will be out of touch more than likely, but in the first instance, following said election, contact your local MP and sound them out! You never know if we end up with Jezzer in control and him a keen cyclist, things might change.

Also the report from Glasgow University this morning could alter things whatever happens.

Cycling to work can cut cancer and heart disease, says study - BBC News

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Cycling to work can cut cancer and heart disease, says study - BBC News

Oh that's fucking handy...

 

[Sea Star]

Cycling to work can cut cancer and heart disease but lead to late onset asthma due to pollution

 

[Fez909]

It is ridiculous that those on the NMW cannot at least gain some benefit from the cycle to work scheme. After all they are more likely to be the members of the workforce who struggle most with the cost of public transport, never mind being able to afford their own transport.
Sadly due to the upcoming election MPs will be out of touch more than likely, but in the first instance, following said election, contact your local MP and sound them out! You never know if we end up with Jezzer in control and him a keen cyclist, things might change.

Also the report from Glasgow University this morning could alter things whatever happens.

Cycling to work can cut cancer and heart disease, says study - BBC News

In one sense it makes sense that you can't reduce their earnings below NMW, but you're not, actually, are you?

If I bought a bike, I'm not reducing my earnings. I'm spending it. And I'd be spending more than if I had some income tax removed (which is how the CtoW scheme saves you money).

I never knew about this rule. Another thing to get annoyed about

 

[kabbes]

Also the report from Glasgow University this morning could alter things whatever happens.

Cycling to work can cut cancer and heart disease, says study - BBC News

Glasgow University have cleverly discovered that exercise is good for you.

 

[The Boy]

Oh that's fucking handy...

View attachment 104777

You-ll have to take the scenic route, I'm afraid.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Glasgow University have cleverly discovered that exercise is good for you.

tbf that is news in Glasgow.

 

[19sixtysix]

Oh that's fucking handy...

View attachment 104777

This would be about all that would fit for your yourney

 

[farmerbarleymow]

Oh that's fucking handy...

Get a unicycle. You have to complete the journey without falling off.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

This would be about all that would fit for your yourney

That's what I was thinking too. It would certainly add comedy value after Bahnhof Strasse has fallen flat on his face twenty times in row.

 

[19sixtysix]

That's what I was thinking too. It would certainly add comedy value after Bahnhof Strasse has fallen flat on his face twenty times in row.

Modern rabbit box looking affair so he can hold on to the walls between rooms.

 

[Sprocket.]

Sadly though I have been a regular cyclist for over fifty years and I am currently receiving treatment for two unrelated forms of cancer. Still if I hadn't been so active I would have probably been 'under the sod' twenty years ago!
Shit happens either way.

 

[Idaho]

I thought the bikes for work scheme was basically rubbish now as you have to pay a big chunk of cash at the end.

 

[stuff_it]

Oh that's fucking handy...

View attachment 104777

You've got at least an extra three feet on your commute compared to me.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

That's what I was thinking too. It would certainly add comedy value after Bahnhof Strasse has fallen flat on his face twenty times in row.

having the basement converted in to an office/games room, will be three flights of stairs to bunny-hop down once that's done...

 

[farmerbarleymow]

having the basement converted in to an office/games room, will be three flights of stairs to bunny-hop down once that's done...

We need you to set up a webcam with a live stream so we can all laugh along at your injuries.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

We need you to set up a webcam with a live stream so we can all laugh along at your injuries.

I'm thinking of having a Jamie & his magic torch commute installed from the side of my bed to the new office...

 

[Beetlebum]

Thanks for the responses guys. It does make sense now.

I do understand that the minimum wage must be cast iron. Perhaps it would be better to use the money to reduce VAT on bikes instead.

 

[a_chap]

I thought the bikes for work scheme was basically rubbish now as you have to pay a big chunk of cash at the end.

I paid one month's "rental" at the end of my last C2W scheme (yes, under the new rules) which was still a huge saving overall. With the interest-free credit for 12 months it's a no-brainer IMO.

 

[Dogsauce]

If your earnings are below the income tax threshold presumably there is no tax break that you could be given? Maybe a bit off NI, but unlikely to save you much, better off just getting a second hand bike. It does seem unfair that the richest get the greatest discount, but I suppose they might be the most likely to be driving a prickish high-emission car so more gains.

The scheme is a bit inefficient anyway, as I doubt many take it up as their main commute method, you're supposed to use it a minimum number of times I think but it isn't policed, I reckon my brother has ridden in on his perhaps twice. They'd do better spending the money lost through tax discounts on infrastructure or a more targeted scheme.

 

[Artaxerxes]

This would be about all that would fit for your yourney

I've seen someone commuting by Unicycle, a braver man than me they were cycling through traffic near Elephant and Castle.

 

[Rosemary Jest]

I have just signed up for this and am on the lowest tax band so save 32%, which will be more like 25% once I pay the nominal fee my work requires to 'lease' the bike for another 3 years.

I find it ironic that my boss, who is on 250 grand a year, is eligible for the scheme and can save 42%. Not that the fat, useless, greedy cunt would ever get out of his V8 Jag and get on a bike.

 

[moomoo]

There are notices for this at work. I’d be tempted if it wasn’t for the fact that there’s a really big hill between me and work so I’d probably die and also it only takes me 4 minutes by car.

 

[a_chap]

Bit think how much cooler you'd look turning up to work on one of these:



Britannia | Ladies Traditional Bike, with Wicker Basket | Pashley

 

[BigTom]

There are notices for this at work. I’d be tempted if it wasn’t for the fact that there’s a really big hill between me and work so I’d probably die and also it only takes me 4 minutes by car.

Just to note that your can buy a bike on the cycle to work scheme and never ride it to work, so if you wanted a bike for other reasons you can still use the scheme to get the discounts.

 

[moomoo]

Just to note that your can buy a bike on the cycle to work scheme and never ride it to work, so if you wanted a bike for other reasons you can still use the scheme to get the discounts.

Oh. I never even thought of that!

 

[Guineveretoo]

This has reminded me. I have a beautiful Pashley bike in my garage that I haven’t ridden for years. Does anyone want to buy it?