Sajid Javid has announced that the Conservatives plan to increase the national living wage to £10.50 an hour. John McDonnell, shadow chancellor, has called this a “pathetic attempt of a game of catch-up.”
After all, John McDonnell is Labour, and the same person who promised the 4 day work week.
Labour’s 2017 manifesto states the following: “Labour will introduce £10 as a minimum as soon as we take office and, rising with living costs. It will mean anybody over 16 years will be earning comfortably more than £10.50 an hour by 2024.”
John McDonnell is confident that the next general election, will be a labour victory. He’s not wrong, confidence in the Conservative leadership is waning.
Sajid Javid knows this too. When he ran for PM, he wanted to show that the Conservatives could still be for the people. Now, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, he is trying to do the same.
The only problem is the current Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. The PM often conflicts with his own party’s views, making it difficult for the party to remain consistent in the eyes of voters.
Then there’s the dreaded subject: Brexit. As Chancellor of the Exchequer, he has to pledge money to different things. First it was buses and public transport. Now he has targeted the national living wage.
But what is the national living wage?
Sajid Javid has promised an increase in this, but many people don’t know what it means. It is defined as the following: “The National Living Wage is an obligatory minimum wage payable to workers in the United Kingdom aged 25 and over. This law came into effect on 1 April 2016 (yes seriously).”
At the moment, it is £8.21 per hour for those 25 and over, £7.70 for 21–24 year olds, £6.15 for 18-20 year olds.
Will it be sustainable as Sajid Javid explains?
Just like with the 4 day work week, it’s a murky subject and the answer is unclear. Some will say yes as it will increase productivity. Whilst others will say no as it will harm the economy and not increase productivity.
It’s likely that if it were to be passed, it would harm the economy in the short term. However, in the long term it will provide better stability. Not that the UK needs any more instability as it is…
Regardless of what happens, it’s likely that it will be controversial. Corporations won’t like paying more money to workers. Whilst workers won’t believe it is enough money.
Whilst I believe that Britain needs to take the economy seriously, I’m not sure this is the best way.
Sajid Javid has said that Brexit will happen by the end of the month. Regardless of whether a deal has been reached or not. Although this has only been reported by RTE.
Will Brexit actually happen at the end of October?
Many MPs have come together, across party lines, begging the PM to get an extension. This extension would see Brexit fall somewhere in January.
Our editor Matthew Booten has said on the issue: “Am I the only Brit sick-and-tired of hearing ‘Brexit’? I get up, Brexit. I go to bed, Brexit. I go to Europe, Brexit. The word is driving me insane. Whilst I personally don’t agree with Brexit. It’s the job of the Government to follow what the people want. Either give us a free and fair election to see if we still want Brexit. Or, shut up, and let’s get going!”
Politic-Ed.com apologises for the tone of his interview. Whilst some of our writers may have similar opinions, it is not the opinion of Politic-Ed.com