New enterprise minister must address high costs, business groups urge

'Employers are not able to meet employees' expectations of covering high costs through wages, so Government is going to have to deliver on cost,' said Isme chief executive Neil McDonnell

Peter Burke, a trained accountant, was offered the role of Enterprise Minister following a cabinet reshuffle. Picture: Maxwells

Freshly appointed Enterprise Minister Peter Burke will come under pressure to address the growing wage costs facing small firms, warned a business representative group.

Isme chief executive Neil McDonnell said small enterprise was being "squeezed" when it came to balancing costs and prices and Mr Burke will need to “step back from this data and ask why is this happening”.