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5 Sep 2025

The average cycle trip in England lasted 24 minutes in 2024, remaining consistent with the previous year, new figures from the National Travel Survey have revealed.

4 Sep 2025

A panel event hosted by ACT Director Jonathan Harrison will focus on retailer experiences and how they are adapting to a number of challenges within the sector at this year’s inaugural...

3 Sep 2025

Cycling just two miles to work can improve heart health by up to 30 per cent compared with driving, new research has shown.

3 Sep 2025

The UK is far behind most European countries in e-bike sales, according to new research from ACT member Paul's Cycles.

2 Sep 2025

A barber's shop in Northern Ireland has proved that it's a cut above the rest by picking up the inaugural Love Your High Street Award 2025, following a public vote that attracted over 2,230...

29 Aug 2025

Pre-registration has now opened for the very first Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) show, taking place on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 September 2025 at NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

20 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has expressed serious concern following today's announcement that UK inflation rose to 3.8% in July, higher than the expected 3.7% and marking the tenth consecutive month...

20 Aug 2025

Cycling and active living charity Sustrans has claimed there is strong evidence that a lack of infrastructure is the biggest barrier to getting more people on bikes in Northern Ireland.

14 Aug 2025

The global bike industry remains under pressure as Shimano, Giant and Canyon all report weaker profits and subdued outlooks for 2025.

13 Aug 2025

The ACT is set to be in attendance at the inaugural Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) trade show, which is set to bring together industry-wide education, market insight and product showcases...

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National Insurance to increase through a health and social care levy

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News , Creative News, Outdoor News, Political News

The ParliamentPrime Minister has announced a new tax in the form of a Health and Social Care Levy.

From 1st April 2022, employer NICs will increase by 1.25 percentage points. Employee NICs will also increase by 1.25 percentage points, including for workers above state pension age.

It was also announced that self-employed Class 4 NICs will also increase - paid on annual profits beyond £9,569 and company dividend payments will rise from 7.5% to 8.75%.

The tax rise will raise £12bn, ringfenced to fund investment in health and social care. The investment will be spent on the following:

  • Tackling NHS Covid backlogs and cut waiting times with new £36 billion investment for health and social care
  • Responsible, fair, and necessary action taken to provide biggest catch-up programme in the history of the NHS and reform the adult social care system
  • NHS capacity to increase to 110% of planned activity levels by 2023/24, offering more appointments, treatments, and operations
  • Social care reform plan will end catastrophic costs for people across the country, and include extra investment in care sector to improve training and support
  • Funded by a new Health and Social Care Levy on working adults and an equivalent rise in the rates of dividend tax to make sure everyone pays their fair share
More information about the investment can be found here.


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