Local shops have responded to recent announcements on the minimum wage, calling for politicians not to undermine the decision making process of the Low Pay Commission.

At the Labour Party’s annual conference, Mr Miliband pledged that the minimum wage would rise to £8.00 an hour by 2020. The current minimum wage rate is due to rise to £6.50 next month.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Minimum wage rates should be delivered through an objective assessment of the facts by the Low Pay Commission. The Commission already has a clear remit  to increase the National Minimum Wage as high as possible without negatively impacting on employment, and we do not believe that it is responsible for politicians to use the minimum wage as a bargaining tool for the election.

“ACS has played a consistent role in the low pay debate, communicating the impact that wage increases have on local shops and the evidence is compelling for the convenience sector. When the minimum wage is increased, retailers have to make tough choices on how to reduce costs elsewhere such as reducing staff hours, delaying business investment and taking on more hours themselves.”

ACS appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live’s breakfast programme this morning to discuss the implications of a rising minimum wage. The interview can be found here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04hm6xx