Raise our wages

Published on 12/07/2012 00:00

The report (10 July) that essential minimum incomes in real terms have generally dropped back since 2008, leading to an egregious increase in those not even achieving minimum income standards, is not really surprising – shocking as it is – given the financial sector’s so-called talent’s ineptitude and personal acquisitiveness in recent years.

The blame game should perhaps start with the dismantling of much of our manufacturing industry by the Thatcher lot, when so many skilled workers were just laid off on the dole instead of their expertise being employed in developing infrastructure and new industries.

A current irony is that the concept of a minimum wage was reportedly dismissed by the CBI as something that would ruin the UK economy, but now, at some £6 per hour or about £240 per week, it does not meet minimum requirements.

The British Retail Consortium reportedly not long ago asserted that a rise of 13p per hour would destroy retailing!

It is clear that even Mr Salmond’s £7.20 per hour, or about £280 per week, would not be a living wage. A couple would both have to work full-time to get close, but buying even the cheapest flat or house would be nigh impossible.

Minimum wages must rise to much more than £7.20 per hour even to maintain present standards, and yet more to get ahead for pensions.

The fact that families need some £37,000 per year is so out of kilter with the minimum wage concept that our whole remuneration system needs a total overhaul.

Joe Darby

Dingwall

Ross-shire