LOCAL company chiefs have welcomed the Government's efforts to reduce the burden to businesses through the new National Minimum Wage.

Although endorsing the change to the legislation, due to come into force on April 1, Bolton and Bury Chamber is concerned about the lack of government guidance to help businesses implement the regulations.

Chamber chief executive Richard Bindless said: "Local businesses will be relieved with the 11th hour amendments which remove the need to keep detailed records specific to the minimum wage and reduce some other burdensome requirements."

He added: "The Government needs to involve businesses at an earlier stage in the consultation process to ensure it gets the new legislation right first time.

"It also needs to brief businesses well in advance to ensure that new regulations are adequately understood and can be properly implemented - particularly by small and medium-sized firms."

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