Benfield and UNW motor ahead with unique car benefit scheme

Benfield Motor Group and a firm of chartered accountants and tax advisers, UNW, have teamed up to launch a ground breaking tax efficient car benefit scheme for North East employers and businesses throughout the UK.

The unique Flexicar scheme allows employees to make savings equivalent to an 11% pay rise, at the same time as potentially saving the employer money.  

The salary sacrifice service provides tax efficiency for employees with a number of significant benefits all conveniently  wrapped up in one monthly payment.

The benefits of thescheme include fully comprehensive insurance, full service, breakdown cover and roadside assistance. Also for lower emission cars further money can be saved through lower taxation and fuel costs.

To date, salary sacrifice car schemes have been more widely operated in larger businesses but Benfield and UNW are offering this scheme to all businesses in both the public and private sectors, irrespective of the number of staff on the pay roll.

Benfield and UNW will provide a complete package of support for both employees and employers throughout the process of implementation.

As UNW’s employment taxes partner, Lee Muter, explains, with the Flexicar scheme, UNW have already executed most of the tax and legal work required, making it the first scheme of its kind in the North of England.

He says: "At a time when most private sector organisations are finding it particularly difficult to give salary increases, this is a tremendous hook to both attract and retain staff.

"I have been working closely with Carl Moffett, Benfield Contract Motoring’s general manager, over the last year to design what is essentially a ‘turnkey’ solution for employers.

"This is a cost efficient salary sacrifice scheme for businesses and staff – a real win-win situation which is ideal for those who do not currently get a company car or cash allowance. For this reason, we expect the scheme to be highly popular."  

On average, the scheme takes two to three months to implement, depending on the size of business. UNW and Benfield offer full project management and can assist employees in disposing of current vehicles if required. 

Carl Moffett, says the scheme offers a range of cars with low emissions, which, for companies that operate with an environmental or CSR policy, also make it highly attractive. 

"The benefits of  Flexicar salary sacrifice really stack up," he said. "It could mean a  saving of between £100-£200 per month  for each employee.

"Additionally, the cars available under the scheme benefit from a significant discount available only to Benfield plus a host of other attractive features."