Forum responds to the Buckle review for the Labour Party on low pay
Commenting on the release of the findings of Alan Buckle’s review for the Labour Party into the National Minimum Wage, Alexander Jackman, head of policy at the Forum of Private Business, said: “The Forum of Private Business was pleased to contribute the voice of small businesses to the Alan Buckle Review on the National Minimum Wage. Small businesses have made it clear that over the next few years they are faced with sizeable new employment rights as well as the costs of auto-enrolling all their staff into pensions, a significant additional cost. The Forum of Private Business’ submission to the Alan Buckle review said any Government in 2015 must not disregard these new compliance and legislative costs.
“The mechanism of raising the National Minimum Wage – the Low Pay Commission – has the trust and respect of business. We are interested in the announcement of the view of the longer term change it might be asked to take on, which could be beneficial to businesses for planning purposes. However, it needs to maintain an ability to react quickly to changing economic circumstances in the future. The FPB believes the review published today recognises that need for flexibility.”
“It is illegal for employers not to pay the National Minimum Wage at present and we support any sensible proposals to tackle that, which don’t pose further regulatory burdens for the vast majority of compliant businesses.”
The Forum’s submission to Alan Buckle’s review called for:
– No legislative changes to the way the National Minimum Wage is currently assessed, which has the support and trust of the majority of relevant stakeholders.
– No mandation on small businesses in any location or sector to pay a Living Wage.
– Much more generous and extended financial support that takes account of the knock on effects, to ease any willing businesses into paying the Living Wage.
