COMMENTING on the increase in the National Living Wage to £7.50, Mike Cherry, national chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said that the average FSB employer will pay an extra £2,600 this year as a direct result of Government decisions.

This is due to the combined impact of the increase in the National Living Wage, consequential National Insurance costs, and pensions auto-enrolment contributions.

“We know that the majority of small businesses were paying all their staff above the National Living Wage rate before it was introduced,” he said.

“Our research also shows that most small business owners absorb the cost of wage increases by taking lower profits.

“We’re seeing increasing numbers of small business owners not paying themselves or stopping their own pension contributions to meet these new employment costs. Many already report that they are struggling to meet their growing payroll obligations. This is particularly visible among those operating in sectors with tight margins, such as hospitality, retail and social care.

“The Low Pay Commission should now be given flexibility in how to meet the Government’s National Living Wage target. It’s a target that must be adjusted if it becomes clear that the economy cannot bear the pace of National Living Wage increases.”