Independent retailers have condemned the government's 10% increase in the national minimum wage as blatant electioneering and a move that will cripple their businesses. One of the country's top c-store operators, Eddie Thompson of Scottish chain Morning Noon & Night, said the increase to £4.10 an hour left small operators with three choices, all of which would make competing with the multiples more difficult. He said they could either cut opening hours, make staff redundant or increase margins. Thompson added: "One has to wonder what effect the coming General Election has had on the decision making process." Spar md Morton Middleditch said: "It is outrageous. The rise will effect all small retailers, and unaffiliated independents in particular. It smacks of a politically motivated decision." The Association of Convenience Stores said the rise, which is five times the rate of inflation, will cost the average c-store £5,000 a year. Association chief executive Trevor Dixon was particularly critical of the Low Pay Commission which recommended the 10.8% rise ­ which comes into force in October and will be followed by a 10p rise in October 2002. Dixon said: "The commission now has no credibility as an independent body, and we are disappointed that it has been so blatantly politically motivated in not only making this recommendation, but by bringing it forward by four months to ahead of the upcoming election." Scott Landsburgh, chief executive of the Scottish Grocers' Federation, also slammed the increase: "At best the Low Pay Commission can be accused of political and economic naivity. If this is not to be inflationary then it is likely unemployment in this sector will take place." The British Retail Consortium said the 40p rise would put jobs in jeopardy, although the big supermarket chains said this week it would have no effect on their businesses. In its submission to the commission, the BRC said a wage of £4 was the limit the retail trade could bear. {{NEWS }}