Business owner urges Tynwald to rethink wage hike

A local business owner is urging Tynwald to rethink next year's planned rise in minimum wage to £13.46 an hour.

Adrian Christian, who owns a number of cafes on the Island, says it would push the cost of a minimum-paid role to over £30,000 a year once holiday pay and NI are added.

He says that means more than £300,000 for just 10 staff before other expenses, adding many small businesses simply won't survive.

He wants the government to consider limiting increases to inflation, phase in rises gradually and cut VAT to ease pressure.