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It really is very simple.....

  • Writer: Wave Staffing Editor
    Wave Staffing Editor
  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read
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In the UK, the cost difference between employing (permanent/in-house) and hiring (agency) event staff is considerable due to mandatory UK employment regulations and benefits, with employment typically being much more costly unless staff are needed year-round.


Employing Event Staff in the UK


  • Salary: The current National Living Wage for staff aged 21+ is £11.44 per hour, rising to £12.21 in April 2025, with a full-time annual minimum salary of roughly £22,308–£23,810. The Oxford Living wage is higher.

  • National Insurance (NIC): Employers pay 13.8% NIC on earnings above £9,100, rising to 15% above £5,000 in 2025. For NLW salary, this is approximately £1,822 rising to £2,821/year.

  • Pension: Compulsory employer pension contribution is at least 3% of qualifying earnings over £6,240, about £482/year for NLW staff.

    Total Minimum Direct Cost: For a full-time employee on NLW, the direct employment cost is a minimum of £24,612–£26,630/year

  • Overheads & In directs: Add recruitment (approx. £2,000), training (£1,500), office rent per desk (£10,500), insurance, holiday pay, sick pay, maternity/paternity pay, and more. Real annual cost may be £39,000–£44,600 for a staff member paid NLW.

  • Obligations: Must provide 28 days holiday, statutory sick pay, and comply with all legal entitlements.


Hiring Wave Event Staff in Oxfordshire


  • On-Demand Payment: Wave staffing typically charge per hour or per event, with rates much higher than NLW to cover their overheads and the lack of benefits.

  • No Employer Overheads: No direct NIC, pension, or benefit obligations—these are managed by the agency. No costs for training, recruitment, or ongoing administration

  • Flexibility: Staff hired only when needed. Suitable for one-off or seasonal events.

  • Total Cost: For sporadic or infrequent events, the total cost is usually far lower than employing someone full time, even if the hourly/day rate is higher.


UK Cost Comparison Table


Aspect

Employing Event Staff (UK)

Hiring Wave Event Staff

Payment Structure

Annual salary + NIC + pension

Per hour/day/event fee (no NIC/pension)

Min. Direct Cost (2025, NLW)

£26,630/year

Variable, only when needed

Overhead/Admin

Yes (recruitment, training, office)

No (agency covers admin)

Legal Entitlements

Yes (holiday, sick pay, etc.)

No (agency covers this)

Flexibility

Low

High

Best For

Frequent/year-round events

One-off, seasonal, or variable events

Summary


Due to statutory costs - Employment agency costs, National Insurance, compulsory pension, legal entitlements, and substantial indirect costs—employing an event staff person full time in Oxfordshire is significantly more expensive, especially for smaller organisations or those with sporadic event needs.


Hiring Wave Staffing agency event staff is far more financially flexible, removing almost all employment overheads and limiting expense to when support is needed


Talk to us about hiring staff - www.wavestaffing.co.uk



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