The increase in the minimum wage could be a "blessing in disguise", according to a financial expert in Bradford.

Andrew Moore, entrepreneurial business services partner at financial advisors Grant Thornton, has urged businesses in the district to look at advantages - rather than the disadvantages - that the increase in the national minimum wage will bring.

He explained: "Many businesses will be dreading the introduction of an increased national minimum wage to £4.50 per hour for adults and £3.80 per hour for youths.

"This will be particularly unwelcome in view of the rise in National Insurance Contributions which kicked in on Sunday. However, businesses should take a long-term view of the rise in the national minimum wage and the impact that it could have on their business. While the increase will of course cost businesses more money in the short-term, in the long-term it could offer potential savings."

He believes the increase will help firms find, and keep, good staff. e added: "We know that finding and keeping good staff is one of the key challenges that businesses face.

"We also know that pay is a critical factor for staff at the lower end of the pay scale when deciding whether to stay in a job or not. Therefore an increase in the national minimum wage may help to improve staff retention as employees earn more and therefore feel more valued for the contribution that they provide. Recruitment is an expensive business, so for most companies, better staff retention will equate to more cost savings."