England's World Cup dream may be over – but employers face a potential nightmare over summer staffing arrangements, according to a Huddersfield-based tax expert.

Some 34,000 students are expected to look for temporary work in Yorkshire this summer – while interest in the World Cup, Wimbledon and cricket are adding to the pressure on employers’ holiday rotas, according to Nick Brook, who runs Tax Assist Accountants in Lockwood.

Mr Brook warned that despite the pressures, employers had to avoid scoring an own goal by skimping on the paperwork involved.

Research from Close Brothers found a quarter of small and medium-sized firms are worried about staff absenteeism while 23% are concerned that productivity will drop and 46% are expecting more requests for leave – despite England’s early exit from the football tournament.

Mr Brook said: “Small firms across Huddersfield will be taking on students throughout this summer and with the World Cup putting even more pressure on employers’ summer holiday rotas and work schedules, it could be tempting to pay workers cash in hand to cut costs and avoid paperwork. But employers who don’t comply with employment law and RTI rules run the risk of financial penalties.”

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