On the 1st of April, 1.9 million people received a pay rise. But for most of them, it was the April fool’s joke they were dreading.
The minimum wage has been a part of UK Law for 20 years now, but some people are still conflicted about that amount that should be paid.
So why do we need the minimum wage? And is it an equal and fair way for everybody to earn the same minimum money to live off? These are questions that everybody has, but are entirely open to opinion. With the cost of living varying between London and Manchester, how can we ensure everyone is getting paid enough? Lucy, a 20-year-old waitress earns £6.15 an hour and has some thoughts;
“My current job is waitressing at this moment, and £6.15 an hour is what I get paid for this. Even though I live at home, I still have to pay rent and buy things like my own food, clothes, toiletries… Unfortunately, my current wage isn’t covering this. I have to work extra hours just to cover these costs and find no extra income to go out with friends. Working with 18-year-olds who earn the same amount as me just isn’t fair in my opinion. With less responsibility than me in their personal and work lives, I think the minimum wage should be raised, at least for young adults aged 20 or above. “
On the other side of the spectrum is Charlotte, a 26-year-old social worker who is earning over the minimum wage set for her, £8.21. She thinks differently about how much people should be earning,
“Since I was 17 I have been working, and for most of my life have been on minimum wage. However, this has served me well, as without this minimum I don’t think I would have pushed myself to work harder and move up in my workplace. Since my first job, the minimum wage has also increased which is something I don’t think anyone should complain about. “
Great podcast on #wakeuptomoney on @bbc5live on twenty years of the minimum wage. Great to see this policy progressing under various governments, hopefully the chancellor’s review will see the living wage stretch to £9:00 in the uk and 10:50 for London recommended @LivingWageUK
— E.LJones ⚽️????♂️ (@elliot_ljones) April 3, 2019
Sam Holliday, a development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) says that minimum wage is a tricky idea and one that should be addressed,
“The principle of a ‘fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work’ is one that has been around for generations but it was only when the National Minimum Wage was installed in this country that it became enshrined in law for everyone. At the time there was some opposition to it but now it is universally accepted as being a good, fair, positive aspect of wage support which has helped raise the living standards of those at the lower end of the pay scale and ensured they have more loyalty to their employees as a result.
“Small business owners have always led the way in trying to help their lowest paid staff and research done by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in 2018 showed that the majority of small businesses were already paying their staff above the latest recommended rate well before it became law. And, of course, that is not without sacrifice.
“Is the National Living Wage, completely 100 per cent fair? Of course not – but no tax is. If it is difficult to live on this wage in parts of the north, for example, it is twice as hard in London where everything costs more and the needs of an 18-year-can be very different to that of a 20-year-old so why should they get the same rate? However, in acknowledging these problems, there is something to be said for a universal, flat wage structure that is understood by everyone and means there is no ‘postcode lottery’ in terms of what you will get. On balance, therefore, the status quo probably makes more sense and ensures less bureaucracy and confusion for the employees – and the businesses they work for.”
If you’re unsure that you’re being paid fairly or want to know more about your wage you can use the minimum wage calculator here.
Let us know your thoughts on the minimum wage on our twitter page @UOGParklife
