Minimum wage burden for firms
The Low Pay Commission (LPC) has been told to think about the effects on small firms when it sets the next level of the National Minimum Wage.
The current minimum wage is £5.05 an hour for adults aged over 22, and it is due to rise to £5.35 in October.
But the Government has heeded concerns from small business lobby groups and has told the LPC to make "particular reference to the effect on pay, employment and competitiveness in the low-paying sectors and small firms".
Matthew Knowles, from the Federation of Small Businesses, told the Daily Telegraph:
"The minimum wage has hit the level that the unions were looking for, £5 an hour."The Commission should have a compelling reason if they raise it by more than the rate of inflation in future."
