Rethinking Hiring in 2025: Save Thousands by Switching to a Virtual Assistant
Hiring used to be a sign of business growth. But in 2025, it can feel more like a financial risk than a reward. With the National Living Wage (NLW) now at £12.21 per hour, and employer National Insurance Contributions (NIC) at 15%, hiring even part-time support can quickly become unaffordable for small business owners.
A recent survey by London Loves Business revealed that nearly half of UK SMEs are worried about these increased employment costs. For business owners with 1–5 employees, the margins were already thin — now, many are being forced to pause recruitment altogether.
So what’s the alternative?
More and more businesses are turning to Virtual Assistants (VAs) — experienced professionals who provide admin, marketing, and operational support on a flexible, outsourced basis. And it’s not just a budget decision; it’s a strategic one.
Let’s Do the Maths: Traditional Hire vs. Virtual Assistant
Imagine you're hiring a part-time admin for 10 hours per week. On paper, that’s 520 hours a year. Here’s what that hire would cost you:
Wages: 10 hours/week × £12.21/hour = £122.10/week or £6,349.20/year
Employer NICs (15%): approx. £952
Pension contribution (3%): approx. £190
Holiday pay (5.6 weeks pro-rata): £684
Training and onboarding: average £1,000
Recruitment time or agency fee: average £750–£1,500
Estimated total: £9,175–£10,500 per year — for a part-time hire.
Now compare this to using a VA:
Admin and More 10-hour package: £300/month = £3,600/year
No sick pay, pensions, or holiday cover
No recruitment fees or contracts
No long-term obligations
The difference is clear — and significant. You could save £5,000–£7,000 annually, while gaining greater flexibility.
Real Example: How a Client Saved £4,800 and Got Better Results
One of our clients, a children’s clothing e-commerce brand in Leeds, had been using a part-time employee for admin, customer emails, and product uploads. But between time off, hand-holding, and unexpected costs, the arrangement was draining more resources than it saved.
In 2024, they made the switch to a Virtual Assistant through Admin and More.
Their monthly support cost dropped from over £800 to £300
Turnaround times improved by 40%
Tasks were completed without chasing
They could scale up during peak periods and reduce hours when things were quieter
After 12 months, they had saved nearly £4,800 and felt more in control of their operations than ever before.
Why Hiring Doesn’t Work for Everyone Anymore
There’s a certain pride in saying you’ve taken on staff — it feels like you’ve “made it.” But the truth is, the employment model hasn’t kept up with how small businesses work today. Flexible working, irregular income streams, and digital-first business models need flexible support to match.
Hiring in 2025 often means:
Ongoing overheads regardless of business income
Managing HR, payroll, and compliance
Dealing with absence, training, and performance issues
Being stuck with a fixed cost even when business is slow
VAs remove all of that pressure. You can start with a few hours a month and increase or pause support as needed.
What Tasks Can a VA Handle?
Virtual Assistants today do far more than “just admin.” At Admin and More, our VAs regularly support clients with:
Inbox and calendar management
Invoicing and expenses
CRM updates and customer follow-up
Social media scheduling and reporting
Research and reporting
Minute-taking and transcription
Access to Work paperwork
Proposal formatting and proofreading
You get the benefit of high-level support without the employer overhead — and you can build a trusted relationship with a VA who understands your business inside and out.
Final Thoughts: It's Time to Rethink How You Hire
The world of work has changed, and business support should change with it. Instead of sinking thousands into employment costs that may not serve your needs long term, consider outsourcing your support to someone who can adapt with you.
Virtual Assistants allow you to stay lean, move fast, and stay profitable — without compromising quality.
At Admin and More, we’ve helped hundreds of small business owners do exactly that. Whether you need 10 hours a month or 40, we’ll help you find the right support, right when you need it.
Find out more by booking a FREE consultation call with us today.
