JOHN Farrer (Letters, January 25) asks what the cost would be to the employer if a minimum wage was introduced. Has anyone ever considered what the cost is to the taxpayer by not having a minimum wage?
I work full-time hours over six days and my wage is low enough not to come within the tax threshold. On top of this I claim family credit which tops up my earnings with a weekly sum of money, allowing me and my family free prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and help with payments towards spectacles.
As I must be one of many employees in this country in this predicament the burden on the taxpayer must be colossal.
Surely it would make more sense to increase wages above this threshold and introduce subsidies for employers who would genuinely find it difficult to pay an increase in wages.
P ORMEROD, St Ives Road, Blackburn.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article