Press Release

Minimum wage – right decision

12 May 2009

The 1.2 per cent increase in the National Minimum Wage announced today (Tuesday) is the right decision for these difficult times said the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

The increase will take the adult minimum wage from £5.73 to £5.80 pence per hour when it is introduced this October. Over the last two years employers have also had to bear the cost of an increase in annual leave entitlement from 20 to 24 and, since April 2009, 28 days.

In its evidence to the Low Pay Commission the BRC said this year’s increase must be no more than 1.5 per cent.

British Retail Consortium Director General Stephen Robertson said: “In its evidence to the Low Pay Commission the BRC said this year’s increase must not be a penny more than 1.5 per cent.

“The Low Pay Commission and Government have listened to our evidence. This is the right decision for these difficult times and exactly what we asked for.

“The best protection for wages is preserving jobs to keep people working and earning not handicapping employers with excessive new costs.

“1.2 per cent strikes a common sense balance between helping low-paid workers and enabling retailers to maintain, and where possible, increase job opportunities.”

Media Contacts: BRC Press Office 020 7854 8924 / 020 7854 8920 / 07921 605544