Flexible Business Support Without the Payroll Burden: Why VAs Are the Smart Choice in 2025
In today’s business climate, the words “overhead” and “risk” go hand in hand. The cost of employing staff in 2025 has hit a new high, with the National Living Wage (NLW) now £12.21 per hour and employer National Insurance Contributions (NIC) charged at 15% from just £5,000 in earnings.
For small business owners, that means even taking on a part-time employee can lead to unmanageable costs and compliance responsibilities. This is where Virtual Assistants (VAs) come in — offering a smarter, leaner way to run your business.
The Problem with Payroll
Hiring an employee comes with more than just wages. You also need to factor in:
Employer NICs
Pension contributions
Holiday entitlement (5.6 weeks minimum)
Sick pay
Training and onboarding
Equipment, software licences, and workspace
HR policies and payroll processing
Let’s say you hire someone for 15 hours a week at £12.21/hour. That’s £183.15/week or £9,523.80/year in base pay. Add 15% NICs (£1,428), 3% pension (£285), and holiday pay (£1,008), and your costs already top £12,200 per year — before you’ve even begun.
Now imagine they go on sick leave, need a phased return, or aren’t the right fit after a few months. You’re left managing risk, red tape, and replacement. Not ideal when your business needs to stay agile.
Why Virtual Assistants Are Different
Virtual Assistants (VAs) work remotely on a freelance or contract basis. You pay only for productive time worked — with no payroll, no pension, and no HR complications. It’s professional support, without the fixed cost or long-term commitment.
At Admin and More, our VAs are trained professionals who work across multiple sectors, supporting small business owners with essential day-to-day operations. That includes:
Admin and diary management
Email triage and inbox cleanup
Client onboarding and support
CRM management
Document formatting and minute-taking
Finance admin (invoicing, reconciliations)
Social media scheduling
Access to Work paperwork and follow-ups
Case Study: Design Agency Reduces Overhead by 40%
A small digital design agency in Bristol came to us last year after losing their part-time admin assistant. They were spending over £1,000/month on wages, NICs, pension, and software access.
By switching to a 20-hour VA package with Admin and More, they:
Cut their costs to £550/month
Removed the need for payroll
Scaled support up during their quarterly client onboarding rush
Gained reliable cover — with no impact from sick leave or holidays
They described it as “the best hiring decision we didn’t make.”
Flexibility in a Changing Economy
The 2025 economic landscape is volatile. Between inflation, tax changes, and new legislation, business owners need to be able to respond fast.
Virtual Assistants offer a flexible support model:
Need more help in peak season? Add extra hours.
Need less in summer? Pause your package.
Need specialist help with Access to Work admin or tenders? Bring in an expert VA short-term.
With a traditional employee, you’re locked into regular pay, even if there’s no work to delegate. With a VA, your support adapts to your business cycle.
What You Get When You Hire Admin and More
At Admin and More, we’ve built a team of UK-based VAs who not only get things done — but understand the pressures of running a small business.
When you work with us, you get:
A dedicated point of contact
Clear monthly hours and reporting
Flexibility to add or reduce hours
Peace of mind with GDPR-compliant systems
A team who can take initiative, not just take instructions
And most importantly, you get your time back — without sacrificing professionalism or quality.
The Bottom Line
Hiring staff used to be the go-to solution for growth. But in 2025, small businesses need leaner, more adaptable models. Virtual Assistants offer the ideal balance: experienced support without the employment burden.
You don’t need to manage payroll, training, or sick leave. You just need the right person, doing the right job, at the right time — and that’s exactly what a VA delivers.
Want to Test It Out?
If you’re curious but unsure, why not try our Get to Know You package? Start small, see the difference, and scale from there. Many of our long-term clients started with just 10 hours a month.
