Minimum Wage: Your Feedback and Our Submission
The feedback shows that the pressures raised during the 2025 debate have not eased. For many businesses, they have intensified and are affecting decisions about recruitment, staffing, training, prices and investment.
Of those who answered the relevant questions, 83% said increases were still creating pressure to raise pay across the wider workforce, and 79% remained concerned about the cost of employing and training young or inexperienced people. Almost half had reduced recruitment or left vacancies unfilled, while 40% had delayed growth or expansion.
Based on this evidence, we have asked the Committee to recommend no increase to the minimum wage in April 2027, giving businesses a period of stability to absorb recent rises, protect jobs and invest.
We recognise the pressure on lower-paid employees too. We will be asking the new administration to look at how Income Tax and National Insurance thresholds could improve take-home pay more directly, alongside better support for apprenticeships, training and first-job opportunities.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. They have helped us put a clear, practical case to the Committee. You can read our submission and the survey findings below.