Quote Originally Posted by regis80 View Post
This is all about economics baggieal. Before the pandemic the unemployment rate was 4%, it currently stands at 4.7% and is expected to go up to 5% after furlough ends. I did a quick check and those figures are from ONS for what the rate is now and an article saying what it was pre-pandemic.
The 4.7% represents about 1.2m out of work (from what I read, sorry too lazy to go back an check as writing off my mobile). Split that 1.2m around the UK, you wonder how much of an impact that is having locally.
Anyway thinking a loud, that 0.7% difference - is it really worth upping the wage for this minute working force from say £9 an hour to £15 an hour? That’s a 67% rise in wages? Would you really consider a 67% rise in wages? Who would? It’s a huge amount. Business owners rightly so have to return profit this is a big hit if you employ a decent number of staff. i’m more for a local business than those like amazon you mention. If you up the wage in one sector it will only move the issue elsewhere (labour and price elasticity if demand). Anyway just some thought from me.
I refuse to pay minimum wage, I pay quite a bit above even to the lowest and youngest ranked members of my staff.

A few earn way above £15 an hour.

I couldn’t justify £15 an hour for everyone if I’m honest.

I tend to pay summer and Xmas bonuses to my lot as that way I can control things rather than tie a concrete block around me neck.