The Low Pay Commission (LPC) is consulting on the level of UK minimum wage and National Living Wage rates for 2017-2018.

The National Living Wage for all workers ages 25 and over increased to £7.20 per hour on April  1, with the Government aiming to raise the rate to £9 per hour by 2020.

The LPC will look at the effect of the introduction of the NLW on workers, employers, the labour market and the economy. It will consider the Chancellor’s set target to increase wages to 60% of medium earnings by 2020, while also seeking views on the impact of the proposed alignment of the National Living Wage and minimum wage increases in April 2017.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) submitted evidence to the Low Pay Commission in 2015 that showed 65% of retailers said that they would have to cut staff or working hours as a direct result of the NLW, while 62% of retailers were planning to delay or cancel investment plans because of it.

The ACS is preparing a response to the consultation, while it is encouraging retailers to meet with the Low Pay Commission at their stores to illustrate the impacts that wage increases are having on their businesses.

James Lowman, chief executive of the ACS, said: “The convenience sector is currently facing significant increases in employment costs, not just through wage increases but also as a result of the introduction of Automatic Enrolment Pensions and the Apprenticeship Levy.

“Retailers cannot continue to absorb hikes in both the Living Wage and Minimum Wage without other areas of their business suffering as a result. We are extremely concerned about the impact on retailers in April 2017, when retailers will be faced with the third wage increase in their business in the space of 12 months and will be urging the Commission to reconsider their plans.”

For more information about arranging a visit, please contact Steve Dowling at steve.dowling@acs.org.uk