Menu
31/03/2016
Local Businesses Will Struggle To Afford National Living Wage - NIIRTA
Local businesses in Northern Ireland have raised concerns over the National Living Wage to be introduced tomorrow, 01 April.
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) said local small traders will struggle to afford the National Living Wage and they are facing a "perfect storm" of business costs with the Rates Revaluation, the National Living Wage and Auto Enrolment Pensions.
NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "Our members will be facing a nearly 50% increase in their wages bills as a result of the Living Wage and Auto-Enrolment, not to mention many of them paying up to 100% extra in their rates bill.
"Given that 99% of all local business is small, the impact of the National Living Wage will have a particular detrimental impact on our indigenous business base.
"It is the cumulative impact of all these costs and red tape which narrow margins and restrict their growth potential. A number of our members have indicated that expansion plans for their businesses are being put on hold as they struggle to afford to pay these crippling costs.
"Unless the issue of high costs is addressed, the creation of jobs and new investment will be reduced at time when government needs to be doing more to support our private sector."
(CD/LM)
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) said local small traders will struggle to afford the National Living Wage and they are facing a "perfect storm" of business costs with the Rates Revaluation, the National Living Wage and Auto Enrolment Pensions.
NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "Our members will be facing a nearly 50% increase in their wages bills as a result of the Living Wage and Auto-Enrolment, not to mention many of them paying up to 100% extra in their rates bill.
"Given that 99% of all local business is small, the impact of the National Living Wage will have a particular detrimental impact on our indigenous business base.
"It is the cumulative impact of all these costs and red tape which narrow margins and restrict their growth potential. A number of our members have indicated that expansion plans for their businesses are being put on hold as they struggle to afford to pay these crippling costs.
"Unless the issue of high costs is addressed, the creation of jobs and new investment will be reduced at time when government needs to be doing more to support our private sector."
(CD/LM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
31 January 2024
Views Sought On Proposed Cyber Governance Code Of Practice.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has invited businesses and organisations to provide feedback on a proposed Cyber Governance Code of Practice. The Cyber Governance Code Of Practice is part of the £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy which seeks to protect and promote the UK online.
Views Sought On Proposed Cyber Governance Code Of Practice.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has invited businesses and organisations to provide feedback on a proposed Cyber Governance Code of Practice. The Cyber Governance Code Of Practice is part of the £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy which seeks to protect and promote the UK online.
21 December 2023
Seasonal Workers Urged To 'Check Their Pay'
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has urged festive workers to "check their pay" to ensure that they have been paid the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.
Seasonal Workers Urged To 'Check Their Pay'
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has urged festive workers to "check their pay" to ensure that they have been paid the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.
01 March 2024
HMRC Uncovers New Complex Tax Avoidance Scheme
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has uncovered a complex tax avoidance scheme that moves income offshore. The scheme – linked to businessman Darren Patrick-Green – involves contractors joining Singapore registered Procorre LLP to avoid paying Income Tax and National Insurance.
HMRC Uncovers New Complex Tax Avoidance Scheme
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has uncovered a complex tax avoidance scheme that moves income offshore. The scheme – linked to businessman Darren Patrick-Green – involves contractors joining Singapore registered Procorre LLP to avoid paying Income Tax and National Insurance.
27 February 2023
Belfast First NI Council To Become Living Wage Employer
Belfast City Council is Northern Ireland's first council to become an accredited Living Wage Employer. To become accredited, the Council has to pay its employees the Foundation Living Wage as well as ensuring any regularly contracted workers are paid the living wage hourly rate.
Belfast First NI Council To Become Living Wage Employer
Belfast City Council is Northern Ireland's first council to become an accredited Living Wage Employer. To become accredited, the Council has to pay its employees the Foundation Living Wage as well as ensuring any regularly contracted workers are paid the living wage hourly rate.
16 November 2021
NI Executive Becomes Accredited Living Wage Employer
The Northern Ireland Executive has secured accreditation as a Living Wage Employer, Finance Minister Conor Murphy has announced. The Living Wage Foundation calculates the minimum hourly rate needed to give a full-time worker and their family a reasonable standard of living.
NI Executive Becomes Accredited Living Wage Employer
The Northern Ireland Executive has secured accreditation as a Living Wage Employer, Finance Minister Conor Murphy has announced. The Living Wage Foundation calculates the minimum hourly rate needed to give a full-time worker and their family a reasonable standard of living.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry in the southeast at first otherwise widespread light rain or drizzle for most. It will turn mostly dry towards dawn, although a few patches of light rain or drizzle continuing, mainly in the southwest. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
