Minimum wage rise 'a massive blow' says farmer
Summary
A Worcester farmer said the Budget’s 3.9% minimum wage increase would raise costs for his farm’s cafe and hospitality business. Two local business owners also said business rates and the lack of VAT relief remained concerns, while the farmer said a higher small-business rate relief threshold would offer some help to his glamping business.Key Facts
- The article says Chancellor John Healey announced a 3.9% minimum wage increase in the Budget.
- Tristan Bennett runs Bennetts Farms in Worcester, which includes a dairy farm, glamping site and cafe.
- Bennett said the wage increase would particularly affect the cafe and hospitality side of his business.
- Bennett said it was difficult to make farm apprenticeships financially viable.
- The article says the small-business rate relief threshold will rise from £12,000 to £18,000.
- Bennett said the higher threshold would help his glamping business somewhat, but he wanted VAT relief for more of the hospitality industry.
- Rachel Buchanan, co-owner of Elderwood Books in Brampton Bryan, said she was challenging her premises’ business-rate valuation, which she put above £18,000.
- Buchanan said flooding and seasonal changes in tourist numbers make business-rate bills difficult to manage.
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