Representatives from trade and business associations have criticised the Government's proposals to compensate workers losing out over the 10p tax wrangle with a hike in the minimum wage. The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) said the plans would cause more pubs to close after the sector was hit hard by the increase in duty on alcohol in March's budget. Nick Bish, chief executive at ALMR, spoke out against the proposals at the association's annual general meeting, and said that pubs were already closing at a record rate, and a further increase in the minimum wage would 'maximise the number of pubs going out of business'. The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has said that employers should not have to make up shortfalls in the Government's tax policies.