Commentary on Sections Overview Part 2: General requirements for approval Paragraph 6: All-employee nature of scheme
3261.This paragraph derives from paragraph 2(3)(a) and part of paragraph 26(1) of Schedule 9 to ICTA. As a whole the new paragraph makes it clear that a SAYE scheme has to be open to a wide category of employees and directors but can be even more comprehensive in its approach.
3262.The new entry in sub-paragraph (2)(d) contains a cross-reference to paragraph 11. This makes it clear that a scheme must not allow participation by anyone with a material interest.
3263.In sub-paragraph (3) the words “any description of employees or former employees” have been replaced by “any description of persons” who meet or have met the conditions in sub-paragraph (2). The inclusion of former employees covers circumstances where the employee has left a group scheme company for an associated company, which is not within the group scheme. The wording confirms that the provision applies to directors and secondly makes it clear that former employees can meet the required conditions. See Change 166 in Annex 1.
3264.Sub-paragraph (4) emphasises the “let-out” in paragraph 2(3)(a) of Schedule 9 to ICTA. The words “any provision required or authorised” by the provisions of this Schedule may also be found in the SIP code (see Schedule 2) and more properly reflect the various ways the rules are expressed.