Confirmation of minimum wage rise provides much needed clarity, but salons must start preparing now, warns NHBF

The NHBF has welcomed today’s confirmation from the government that minimum wage rates will rise from this October. 

The government has accepted the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations that the adult minimum wage should rise by 19p to £6.50 per hour, with the other minimum wage rates also set to rise (see panel). 

NHBF chief executive Hilary Hall said in response: 

For a labour-intensive, relatively low-wage industry such as hairdressing, we are disappointed the government has gone ahead with an above-inflation rise in the national minimum wage. 

But we do welcome the fact the government has moved quickly to accept the LPC’s recommendations, and therefore provided much-needed clarity for small businesses as to what to expect from this autumn. 

This means salons now have time to start preparing for the change – and we will, of course, be working closely with our members to assist them in making sure they are, and stay, compliant come October. 

More widely, the feedback from our members is that outside London and the south east the economic recovery remains fragile and patchy. Our fear is that having to find these extra wages will act as a brake on their recovery, their growth prospects and, most importantly, limit their ability and appetite to recruit and retain employees.” 

National minimum wage rates from October 1, 2014, will be:

Adults                £6.50                 up 19p from £6.31

18-20                  £5.13                 up 10p from £5.03

Under 18            £3.79                 up 7p from £3.72

Apprentices      £2.73                 up 5p from £2.68

(under 19s and for first year)