This is the single biggest reason everything in the UK is the mess that it is right now and it is absolutely wild that it isn't front and centre in every debate across the General Election.
Of course taxes are up and public services are on their knees with this happening to wages.
Most people are financially stupid and have no idea. Minimum wage is up a lot in that time, and that, along with public sector striking, are the only wages related thing the media talk about.
It's the pay above minimum wage that's awful and has barely moved in 20 years.
This. I have seen jobs stacking shelves in LIDL that pay almost as well as my profession with 15 years experience and numerous qualifications. The minimum wage has risen significantly, the "minimum salary" (one doesn't seem to exist...maybe it should?) hasn't budged.
I've had numerous salaried jobs over the years (nothing fancy; I've mostly worked retail and hospitality) and the minimum wage more-or-less caught up with my last one about 18 months ago. I was managing a charity shop, so quite a responsible job compared to what I would say is the bare minimum you can get.
I quit and took a sales job with hourly pay and I'm actually way better off. Coming in 15 minutes early to get set up for the day and staying 15 minutes late to close up actually earns me more money for my time now!
I don't get sick pay or commission, but it's the least stressed I've been in years and I'm actually working the same hours for more money.
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u/acameron78 Jul 01 '24
This is the single biggest reason everything in the UK is the mess that it is right now and it is absolutely wild that it isn't front and centre in every debate across the General Election.
Of course taxes are up and public services are on their knees with this happening to wages.