Why has the Government not announced the minimum wage rates that start in seven weeks?

Minimum wage changes kick in on 1 April. The Government seems unconcerned for businesses that we are heading toward mid February and no employer knows what the minimum wage will be in seven weeks.

Any affected business that needs to provide quotes for jobs from April onwards is unable to do so, as they don’t know what their staff costs will be.

Normally the new rates are announced in December, giving a decent period of three to four months to prepare. Why has it been left so long? Can’t they agree?