Figures from the Office of National Statistics showed that the UK unemployment rate was 5.5 per cent for the three-month period - up 0.3 per cent from the previous quarter and 0.7 per cent compared with a year ago. Average earnings rose 4.5 per cent for the year to June, or 0.2 per cent a month.
A British Retail Consortium (BRC) National Minimum Wage survey found that last year's minimum wage hike cost the industry£1 billion and a further increase in October is set to cost the same and lead to further retail job losses.
BRC director-general Kevin Hawkins said: 'That kind of money can't be found year after year without detriment to business. With other costs also shooting up, it's no surprise that a quarter of retailers say they are likely to cut staffing costs, which may include some jobs.'
The BRC has urged the Low Pay Commission to carry out a thorough evaluation to define what the ultimate goal for the minimum wage is.
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