The chancellor has remained silent on future changes to the national minimum wage.
Increases in the NMW in October 2008 followed recommendations from the Low Pay Commission (LPC).
Businesses had called for the NMW to be left as it is or subject to only minimal increases.
But the LPC will publish its recommendations for October 2009 next month.
Stakeholder Response: British Retail Consortium
Jane Milne, BRC business director said:
"This year's revised timetable for deciding the annual increase in the National Minimum Wage means it was not announced in the Budget. The government and Low Pay Commission must keep this year's increase below 1.5 per cent to enable retailers to maintain, and where possible, increase job opportunities."
