The planned introduction of the so-called ‘living wage’ will present a huge challenge for the horticultural industry, the HTA said this week.

Speaking at the HTA Joint Committees during the Ball Colegrave Summer Showcase, HTA chief executive Carol Paris said: “As a people based service industry the impact of an increase in the minimum wage presents a huge challenge for horticultural industry.

“Whilst we cannot change the travel of direction, we are looking at what mitigating factors will help us to deliver this and achieve efficiencies to counter the additional costs which will be incurred.”

As members of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the HTA are taking part in wider discussions with other retail players likely to be affected.

The current minimum wage of £6.50 per hour rises to £6.70 in October - but the government wants to replace it with a Living Wage of £9 by 2020.