New min wage is long overdue but still not enough. If companies cannot afford to pay it then they have not got a sound business model. I get that some smaller businesses may struggle but then the govt could step in to help them but most larger ones can but dont because it means less profits for directors/shareholders etc. Ken Morrison said a successful business depends on good staff and good suppliers and he isnt far wrong. If you pay lower wages you do tend to get monkeys but Mick is right, paying decent wages in itself is no guarantee of decent staff. Time and again all research says that once you have provided a fair wage then next steps to encourage happy and productive staff are to 1) make them feel valued (not just a number) and 2) make them feel that they can make a difference (not just implementors). Obviously most larger companies have a broad range of staff and abilities and some may simply want to come in, do the job and go home but as long as they do a good job that is fine. Allowing poor performance from staff without challenging/correcting it will ultimately drag everyone else down to working at the lowest common denominator. One of problems I see increasingly both in staff and management seems to be a generational one. I know this is a generalization and their are obviously exceptions but too many staff under 30 seem to have an exaggerated sense of entitlement and do not take criticism or challenges to their performance well and try and deflect their failings whilst too many younger managers avoid confrontation and lack key people management skills inc communication/leadership/empathy/motivation/teamwork/coaching etc. Its almost like all this stuff has now gone out the window!,,,,,still, Im sure Boris will turn it all around with his promises of a well paid and skilled workforce (not)