Editorial comment

Ask 100 elderly persons if they would rather move into a retirement home, or stay in their own home and be cared for, and you don’t have to be a pollster to get the answer.  Of course, they would rather stay in their own home.

That is why this government must take the issue of future funding for the elderly to the heart of their policies.

Simply pouring cash into a system which provides options which many reject does nothing to ease the burden on the state, neither is it a so-called “solution”  when for so many elderly, it is often the unnecessary ending of independence - and the beginning of a downward emotional spiral.

The Graham Agency

The Graham Agency supplies domestic staff in London, the Home Counties and farther afield.  Established in 1984, with offices in Mayfair and Highgate, our extensive client list has grown to include politicians, writers, television and media personalities as well as professionals in the City, law and elsewhere.  Most of our clients are professional women who need the support offered by The Graham Agency to achieve the maximum out of all aspects of their lives.

"Well, one person tells another and then they mention us to someone else and so our reputation blossoms", says Diana Graham, principal of The Graham Agency, explaining the success of the domestic recruitment agency.

Green door photoFrom the beginning, our ethos has been to supply first-class, trustworthy and reliable domestic staff to fine homes in London and the South East.  All enquiries for staff are dealt with in a discreet and professional manner to satisfy your individual needs.

Paying domestic staff in cash?

If you are paying your domestic staff in cash, beware, a new HM Customs and Revenue (HMRC) drive is looking for YOU.

Make no mistake, the authorities are embarking on a determined drive to catch those who often pay cash to staff at a level that entitles that person to state benefits, thereby raising their overall income, but avoiding the necessity of complying with tax regulations, paying PAYE and National Insurance.

Other methods of avoiding payments include:  providing free accommodation, or staff sharing with another family.

A cautionary tale

What you see is not always what you get!

The importance of verifying employment candidate references  for any employment vacancies, let alone for the privileged position of domestic staff working in your homes, nannies, housekeepers, carers etc., was demonstrated recently when our checks revealed some blatant forgeries!

We recently interviewed two candidates for a housekeeper couple on behalf of a client.

New minimum wage from 1 October 2012

Those who employ domestic staff need to be aware of a change to the adult national minimum wage and accommodation offset allowances which come into force on 1 October 2012.

The government has accepted the recommendation of the Low Pay Commission and, from that date, the new adult minimum wage will rise from £6.08 per hour to £6.19 per hour.  Not a lot perhaps, but enough to generate a problem if one continues with the old rate unknowingly.

At the same time the accommodation offset will be increased by 9 pence to £4.18 per day.
 

So you think you need a housekeeper?

So you think you need a housekeeper?

You lead a busy life style, your priorities don’t include looking after the home and cooking, you have other things going on in your life.  Perhaps you leave early, get home late and or too tired to worry about domestic issues?

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Offices in Berkeley Square, London W1
and
Highgate, London N6