Hiking minimum wage puts pressure on starting salaries

RAISING the minimum wage in the Budget will likely hit recruitment of junior professional workers, say experts.

- BY MARIA WARD-BRENNAN

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to increase the rate from £12.21 an hour to at least £12.70, leading to a salary of £26,416 for someone on a 40-hour week.

This could cause headaches for the mid-tier professional services sector, which is already struggling with the hiring and retention of junior staff.