Minimum wage: ‘an indirect impact’ on food manufacturers

By Alice Foster

- Last updated on GMT

The National Minimum Wage has increased by 20p to £6.70 an hour
The National Minimum Wage has increased by 20p to £6.70 an hour

Related tags Minimum wage National minimum wage

Workers on the minimum wage were in line for a pay rise from yesterday, amid concerns about the impact on the food and drink manufacturing industry.

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) has increased by 20p to £6.70 an hour for adults and the rate for apprentices increased by 57p to £3.30 an hour.

The 3% minimum wage rise would not have a “direct impact”​ on food and drink manufacturers because employees' pay was dependent on the market, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) said.

‘Indirect impact on companies’

“However, this increase will have an indirect impact on companies by creating pay pressures in the system for pay settlements above inflation,”​ the FDF told the Low Pay Commission (LPC).

“There is also likely to be an impact around the cost of services, such as cleaning, catering and security.”

Minimum wage at a glance

  • Benefits more than 1.4M workers
  • 20p (3%) rise to £6.70 an hour from today
  • National Living Wage set at £7.20 from April 2016

A FDF spokeswoman said the LPC should take a “cautious approach”​ when recommending minimum wage increases to the government given the difficult economic climate. 

She said: “FDF considers that it is critically important for the future competitiveness of the UK food and drink manufacturing sector that the direct impact of the NMW on its members is minimised, though following feedback from companies it is clear that the majority of members do pay above the NMW.”

The National Living Wage, set at £7.20 an hour, will be introduced from April 2016 even though credit rating agency Moody’s warned​ that it would lead to food price increases and job losses.

‘Well-deserved’ pay rise

Business secretary Sajid Javid said more than 1.4M of the country’s lowest-paid workers got a “well-deserved”​ pay rise yesterday (October 1).

“The increase for apprentices is the largest in history making sure that apprenticeships remain an attractive option for young people,”​ Javid said.

“The National Minimum Wage will see the largest real-terms increase since 2007.”

Meanwhile, Lidl and Morrisons have recently announced plans to increase basic pay​ for store staff to £8.20 an hour.

View from FDF

“There is also likely to be an impact around the cost of services, such as cleaning, catering and security.”

  • Response from the Food and Drink Federation to the Low Pay Commission 

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1 comment

Pay increase

Posted by Amanda Foster,

What pay increase. The agency staff at Portable Foods are in desperate need of a wage increase. The last time they had any form of pay rise, was more than 5yrs ago. Took away overtime rates. Changed all holiday rates etc. Any bonuses they were entitled too, stripped bear. The so-called union they're currently with, is of no use what so ever. Stranded and left adrift, many long standing agency staff, are feeling so hard done by, many want to leave, but can't as the fight for jobs is now rediculous. The union members have dwindled so much so, they have no confidence in them what so ever. Is it any wonder there is a call for the living wage.
If companies thought about it long and hard, take a step back, breathe.
With the living wage, increase N I contributions, Income tax revenues.
When there is a feel good factor, good things start to happen. It gives us a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Plus, people will engage more, invest time and resources more. Positive outcomes can be achieved.
If we seriously thought long and hard about it. I wouldn't need to apply for working tax credits, if the pay was right, therefore that tax not being spent on me, gets re-directed to a different department, so smaller businessses may get a better deal in a tax break.
Plus, with a higher NI Contribution, our health education etc will improve. The list is endless, common sense prevails.

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