Ms Pauline O'Hare:

On the rises in the minimum and living wages, we have said we would look for a five-year timeline with a degree of flexibility. What we are highlighting is the impact on employers. The costs cannot be considered in isolation from all the other costs faced by employers. I acknowledge the comments being made but one needs to consider the cumulative cost. The minimum wage is one thing but there are also energy costs, labour costs and a ream of statutory employment rights policies that are also coming down the road. The latter have a huge cost impact on businesses. We know they have a cost impact on SMEs. Sectors such as hospitality and retail are dealing very much with these challenges