As the year goes on a new batch of laws are going to come into force.

And if you have a job, a car or children you will need to know about them.

All of the new legislation comes into effect this month.

Childcare

A new scheme now means the government will pay in 20p for every 80p that parents spend on childcare costs.

Under the rules, working families could receive up to £2,000 a year towards the cost of the care their child receives for each youngster aged under 12.

Up to £4,000 can be unlocked for children up to the age of 17 with a disability.

Car tax

Unless your new motor is 100% electric you will now have to shell out to tax it.

Motorists are charged through a tier system based on the vehicle's CO2 emissions and then there will be a £140 flat fee for every year after that.

The rule will only apply to new cars which are bought after April.

If you already own a car, or will be buying one registered before April 2017, there is no need to worry about the extra charges.

Redundancy

Businesses that make staff redundant will soon have to put more in their redundancy packets.

After Thursday, April 6, firms will have to pay employees with at least two years' service an amount based on their weekly pay, length of service and age.

There is a maximum amount, though, which is £489 - an increase of £10 from £479.

Minimum wage

Workers aged over 25 who get paid the minimum wage will see their pay increase by 30p this month to £7.50 an hour.

A smaller increase will come into force for people aged between 18 and 20 to £5.60 and those aged between 21 and 24 will get £7.05.

Apprenticeship levy

This month the biggest organisations will be forced to pay an apprenticeship levy.

Any firm with a salary bill of more than £3 million a year will have to fork out for the new tax.

It is thought £3 billion will be raised and the money is going to be used to fund three million apprenticeships.

Sick and family pay

The rate at which people are paid when they fall ill or have a family is set to increase.

On Sunday, April 2, the weekly pay packet for people receiving statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental support will go up to £140.98.

And from Thursday, April 6, statutory sick pay will increase to £89.35 a week.

Migrant workers

Businesses will have to pay for migrant workers in what is being dubbed an immigration skills charge.

Employers and businesses that sponsor skilled workers under the immigration points-based system will have to pay a levy of £1,000.

That charge is reduced to £364 for smaller employers, including charities.

The levy is designed to encourage the training of British workers according to www.gov.uk.