Retailers urged to have say on wages

Now is the time to speak up and make your voice heard on how the national living wage will impact your store.

The Low Pay Commission (LPC) has launched a consultation into the future of the national minimum wage and living wage, which chancellor George Osborne set out in his summer Budget to rise to £9 an hour by 2020.

Those affected by the changes are being asked to submit their concerns to the LPC by September 25. However, the Government’s living wage increase to £7.20 by April 2016 will go ahead.

“The minimum wage is an increasing burden on small businesses, however, this has been overlooked by the Government, who have taken much of the Commission’s independence from them by prescribing the target for 2020,” said NFRN national president Ralph Patel.

The ACS said it was “totally wrong” that wage rates are now being set by the chancellor, based on politics. “We will play a full part in this consultation, setting out the devastating impact of the national living wage, which puts thousands of stores and jobs at risk in our sector, as well as undermining investment and leading to price increases,” said James Lowman, ACS chief executive. He urged retailers to get in touch to tell the association about the impact of the living wage on their business, in terms of staffing and investment decisions, so it can make the best possible case to the LPC.

To tell the Low Pay Commission how the national living wage will affect your business, email lpc@lowpay.gov.uk