Guernsey minimum wage to rise to £12.60 an hour

Guernsey's adult minimum wage will rise to £12.60 an hour after politicians approved a 5% increase

The minimum wage in Guernsey will increase to £12.60 an hour for adults after politicians approved a 5% increase.

The rate for workers aged 17 and 18 will also rise on 1 October 2025, from £10.80 to £11.35.

The changes were agreed by a majority with 37 deputies voting for the increase, one member abstaining and two absent for the vote. The rates remain lower than in Jersey where all workers receive £13 an hour.

Deputy Peter Roffey, president of Employment and Social Security, said: "I'm pleased but, if I am honest, I am slightly ashamed we are behind Jersey. But I think the debate showed if we had tried to push it too far we might have got nothing."

Roffey added: "Nobody is prevented from offering higher wages than the minimum wage but if people are just doing a google search and see that they are, as a minimum, going to get paid more in Jersey than they are in Guernsey.

Well, if you had the choice, where would you go?"

The States also agreed that Employment and Social Security should look at agreeing minimum wage increases earlier so they could take effect on 1 January.

Some businesses have warned that prices will go up in order to cover the minimum wage.

Natalia Silvester, who is behind businesses including Crepe Maison, Renoir Tea Garden and Love Shack, said an increase of 5% in the minimum wage means "prices on the menu will go up by 5%".