Local Economy Forum launched to propose alternative to 'destructive' min wage increase

A Local Economy Forum is being launched to highlight what it's calling the destructive impact of the planned minimum wage increase.

Organisers say the group is open to Manx businesses and being formed in response to Tynwald's recent vote to up the wage to of £13.46 per hour from April. 

They explain the forum aims to propose an alternative and more effective way of increasing income for lower-paid workers. 

The first meeting will be Monday, November 10, where the forum's proposals will be officially announced. 

Chairman and former government minister Chris Robertshaw commented: 

'The aim of the meeting is to focus on the minimum wage and this significant increase, and see how it can be constructed to work for all parties. 

'That's for the person on minimum rate of pay, for business and the economy - because the Forum does not believe it's been thought through properly in its current form'.