A Living Wage

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27981975

I heard John Sentamu being interviewed this morning on the Today program,
and I thought he made a lot of sense. Something needs to break this logjam of low wages, and it should start with the Government itself.

Paying a living wage in 2014 shouldn't be too hard surely ? Perhaps if we paid a living wage, we wouldn't need to waste money on benefits to those on the minimum wage ? It can't be right that somebody working 40-50 hours a week should still be able to claim benefits. All these benefits do is to subsidise greedy employers, and I don't think public money should be used for that.

[DrFilth]

very true a lot forgot about that i was pointing that out to a mate the other day

[youngmafbog]

There are two problems paying a 'living' wage.

1) If you raise the wage of the person at the bottom then their supervisor wants more and so it goes up the chain. Wages rise, cost of goods rise to pay for it and we are back at square one, inflation has wiped it out.
2) If you do rise wages to a decent level you will price your goods (internationally) out of the market. Then there is no wage.

Labour got away with it last time because they set the minimum wage so low.

I'm not sure how to solve the problem, but certainly those working should be made to feel valued and far better off then those that make the nash a way of life. The liberals idea of 10K tax rate was excellent but I would like to see it taken further.

We need to simplify the tax regime removing National Insurance and have a set rate for all. No ways to get out of it and nothing offset. If it comes in you pay tax at the single set rate. If everyone was contributing and no dodging then that rate would be quite low and we should be able to take those at the bottom out of it. Might be quite a few accountants and legal eagels out of work though I suppose.

[jomifl]

Mikey my point was that France, one of those European countries has a higher minimum wage than the UK. How on earth did that happen? mind you the UK minimum wage is higher than tha US.

[youngmafbog]

Have you taken cost of living into account Jom ? You cant just FX one currency to another and compare.

[jomifl]

Youngmaf, as I live in France I know that the costs of living are roughly comparable. Houses are a lot cheaper, electricity is cheaper diesel is cheaper, most foods are cheaper, rates are cheaper, tax is lower. Legal expenses are more expesive, anything involving a man wearing a suit is expensive. I save about £3,000n a year on tax and rates alone..

[mikey4444]

Thanks jomifl...had no idea that you lived in France !

[pixie373]

Not necessarily, ratter, it's better to "go small" if you want to start a care agency. That's what my sister and i do. No other staff, so very little outgoings (petrol, paper), plus better care. Would recommend it definitely, if there is someone you trust to work with.