Minimum wage rise bad for business says nhf

The National Hairdressers' Federation has responded with disappointment to the recent recommendation by the Low Pay Commission that the minimum wage should rise by 3% from October. NHF president Paul Curry said: "The recommendation by the Low Pay Commission of a 3% increase in the adult rate is deeply disappointing. An increase of this magnitude – which the commission has recognised will be, if accepted by government, the largest hike since 2007 – would hurt salons badly. "Hairdressers and barbers are predominantly small, labour-intensive businesses working in a very competitive environment. Signs of recovery are patchy and many of our members say they are still struggling economically. "Salons are also having to find extra money to fund pensions auto-enrolment and proposed changes to apprenticeships. "This rise, along with the commission’s proposed increases to the other age-related rates and the apprentice rate – all by well above the rate of inflation – will make it harder for salons to employ and bring on talented young stylists. For some salons it may mean having to shed valued employees altogether." Paul Concluded: "The government, we know, normally broadly accepts the commission’s recommendations. Nevertheless, for the health of our industry, we urge ministers to consider carefully the effect these recommendations could have on small high street salons, and to show restraint in deciding this autumn’s minimum wage rates."