minimum wage

But in the “switch in time that saved nine,” the high court reversed course, upholding minimum wage.

Labour, under pressure from its own backbenchers, adopted a number of left-wing measures in its budget this week, including raising the minimum wage, boosting child benefits and introducing a new tax on high-value homes.

He said the industry was already under significant pressure following the chancellor's first Budget last October, which pushed up hiring costs with a hike in employer national insurance contributions and the minimum wage.

But she also announced policies that could raise inflation, including lifting a cap on welfare payment for more than two children and an increase to the minimum wage.

Michelle Wilson, care manager at Home Instead, a domiciliary care company based in Epsom and Dorking, said the rise in minimum wage could cause problems.