Manx minimum wage rise recommendation delayed

The island's minimum wage is currently set at £10.75

A recommendation on a potential minimum wage rise on the Isle of Man has been delayed after an independent committee requested further time to consider what affects it may have.

Tynwald has committed to aligning the hourly figure, currently set at £10.75, with the island's national living wage by 2025.

The Minimum Wage Committee has asked for government support for a more "detailed impact assessment" before recommending rate changes.

The Department for Enterprise (DfE) said while some people may be concerned about the delay, the request must be "appropriately considered".

The committee began its annual review of the rates of minimum wage in October by considering the available data, and was expected to make recommendations to the DfE and the Treasury for approval in February.

Any changes would then have come into force on 1 April.

'Concern and disappointment'

A DfE spokeswoman said without the committee's recommendations, the departments were unable to bring forward proposals at this time.

"Whilst this clearly will be of concern and disappointment to some" the request for additional time to understand to consider the potential social and economic effects "must be appropriately considered", she said.

The DfE had asked for further details about the scope of work suggested by the committee and a revised timeline will be confirmed once that was understood, she added.