UK Payslip Glossary
Every term you might see on a UK payslip, explained in plain English. 97 entries, updated for the 2026/27 tax year.
A
- Attachment of EarningsDeduction
- A court-ordered deduction from your pay to clear a debt. Full definition
- Attachment of Earnings OrderDeduction
- A court order that compels your employer to deduct a fixed sum from your wages to clear a civil debt. Full definition
C
- Child Maintenance DeductionDeduction
- A pay deduction ordered by the Child Maintenance Service. Full definition
- CSA Deduction (Child Support)Deduction
- A historical Child Support Agency deduction from earnings used to fund maintenance payments - now branded as a Deduction from Earnings Order under the Child Maintenance Service. Full definition
D
- DeductionsDeduction
- Any amount subtracted from gross pay, statutory or voluntary. Full definition
- Direct Earnings AttachmentDeduction
- A DWP-issued order that lets the department recover overpaid benefits straight from your wages, without going through a court. Full definition
P
- Postgraduate Loan (PGL)Deduction
- A separate student-loan plan for Master's and Doctoral study, repaid at 6% on income above £21,000 a year. Full definition
- Plan 5 Student LoanDeduction
- The newest English undergraduate loan plan for courses starting on or after 1 August 2023, repaid at 9% on income above £25,000. Full definition
S
- Student Loan DeductionDeduction
- Plan-specific repayment deducted from pay above the relevant threshold. Full definition