Dear Alex,

I wonder if you could tear yourself away from the internal ructions within your Party, and from your concerns about grot and potholes, and spare a thought for the millions of workers on low wages?  It really is scandal that many such workers have to have their wages topped up by the state through the system of Universal Credit.  Wouldn’t it be much better if they were paid a decent enough wage, and had no need to resort to public funds?  And is it really the proper function of the state to subsidise employers who are unwilling to pay a living wage?

That is why I am calling on you to support an increase in the National Living Wage to £15 per hour.  There is a strong case for this on social grounds, to help those who are struggling to make ends meet.  But there is also a case on economic grounds since it would reduce or even eliminate one element of Universal Credit.  I know you are a strong proponent of sound public finance, and an increase in the National Living Wage would benefit the public purse, as well as the private purses of millions of workers.

Mike Farmer

Cheltenham

This letter appeared in the Gloucestershire Echo on October 27th 2022