'We have to pay more' - Morrison welcomes rise in minimum pay for stable staff

Hughie Morrison has welcomed the introduction of new minimum pay rates for stable staff in Britain but argued more must still be done to attract people to the sport and avoid owners picking up all the cost.

At the annual negotiations between the National Association of Racing Staff (Nars) and National Trainers Federation (NTF), known as the National Joint Council, it was agreed an average 14.5 per cent increase in the minimum pay for stable staff in Britain, weighted towards those at the lower end of the experience scale would come into effect on November 14.

"It won't affect most of us as we're paying well above the minimum rates, which is why it was easy to put them up, but we have to pay more," said Morrison, who employs 25 people at his Berkshire yard.