No Budget purdah these days. This government does not believe in a parliamentary democracy, it seems.

Inflation is most likely to occur via the private sector if higher wages aren't linked to higher productivity.

I would point out that when the Minimum Wage was introduced there were great murmurings about inflation but it really didn't happen.

And, if there are substantial wage increases in the public sector this isn't going to affect the price of anything because the public sector doesn't produce anything to be sold to the public and make a profit. The benefit of these higher wages is, however, felt by the private sector, which supplies just about everything that people buy, because people have more money available for making purchases.

Mind you, the last only applies if the wage increases aren't wiped out by the promised increases in taxation.

Also only applies if the suspected cuts to, or underfunding of, public sector budgets don't lead to public sector employees losing their jobs.

Kali2 I still think it’s better to have the money in your pocket, a decent living wage which you choose how to spend rather than keeping wages low and families relying on benefits, food banks etc.

I do not know- it is VERY complex indeed.

But it is a fact that high wages do not necessarily mean better off- due to inflation partly. If wages in agriculture are high, excpect higher prices to be passed on to customer. Same for all labour in industrial processes, shops, restaurants, services- whatever. When high wages get eaten by higher costs for everything- who wins?

Kali2

People tend to forget that High Wage economies,

also have High Costs for everything!

What’s the alternative to paying people a living wage continuing with handing out universal credit, keeping the low paid down and in their place?

People tend to forget that High Wage economies,

also have High Costs for everything!

Track and trace will go down as one of the most costliest Government mistakes ever.

Sadly, I think many have now factored it in as being part of the cost for having the Government they voted for. Some will never see because they don't want to Barmeyoldbat.

I just can’t believe how much was spent on track and trace, it was billions, it just makes my blood boil.

Urmstongran

^There is no public sector waste left to cut Urmstongran^

I respectfully beg to differ PippaZ. Have you seen some of the job vacancies offered by local councils? And what about Sadiq Khan offering council money of £25k towards the changing of any street names? Profligate behaviour continues, by all councils. I think it might be like hospital Trusts or some charities - if the monies don’t get spent the amounts are culled the following year. Hence they throw money at ‘projects’. Silly too - when you think it’s taxpayer money.

I live under a Labour Council. They are doing great things - for everyone. Four of our local Conservative councillors resigned from the Conservative Party a couple of years ago because they were so disgusted with the party and its shenanigans. The way Tories locally then behaved should have been worthy of a court case. But then the Tories think they can break any democratic rule, don't they. We certainly have enough proof of that.

There are some in our leafy market town who do not think the town gets it's "fair share". I doubt any of them would say the council is "profligate" though. They know how underfunded they have been by this Tory government. I didn't think you could avoid knowing that - obviously some have avoided it.

Do you live under one of the 33 London Councils? If you do, I am sure you know all about what they are responsible for and what the Mayor is. If you want to see what"profligate" actually means, I suggest you read today's report on Test and Trace.

Perhaps you could give a link to a recent job advert that has offended you. Or is it the case that you are simply offended by the man who is Mayor of London being Mayor of London for some reason?

All this horror about raw sewage in seas and rivers. Where have you all been? It's been going on for years/ All over Europe.

www.waternewseurope.com/tourists-in-europe-are-swimming-in-raw-sewage-despite-blue-flags/

Scones

Barmeyoldbat

Just a passing thought, how has Germany managed to have a high wage economy despite all its refugees? Back to the. Post, I think it’s the government leaking all the info on the budget to give us something else to think about other than Covid and the high number of infections.

I agree with you Barmeyoldbat This is to draw attention away from something....perhaps the fact that the government have just voted to allow raw sewage to be poured into the waterways.

Or Dido Harding’s Track & Trace.
Aided and abetted by Matt Hancock.
Jeez.

There is no public sector waste left to cut Urmstongran

I respectfully beg to differ PippaZ. Have you seen some of the job vacancies offered by local councils? And what about Sadiq Khan offering council money of £25k towards the changing of any street names? Profligate behaviour continues, by all councils. I think it might be like hospital Trusts or some charities - if the monies don’t get spent the amounts are culled the following year. Hence they throw money at ‘projects’. Silly too - when you think it’s taxpayer money.

Agreed, P

Kim19

I just wait until the media thrash it out then select my points of interest and angst.

Well that certainly won't be tomorrow. The truth is usually sorted from the froth within about a month.

Barmeyoldbat

Just a passing thought, how has Germany managed to have a high wage economy despite all its refugees? Back to the. Post, I think it’s the government leaking all the info on the budget to give us something else to think about other than Covid and the high number of infections.

I agree with you Barmeyoldbat This is to draw attention away from something....perhaps the fact that the government have just voted to allow raw sewage to be poured into the waterways.

Exactly growstuff I agree with every word you said, I just didn’t put it very well.

Barmeyoldbat

Just a passing thought, how has Germany managed to have a high wage economy despite all its refugees? Back to the. Post, I think it’s the government leaking all the info on the budget to give us something else to think about other than Covid and the high number of infections.

One of the reasons Germany is a high wage economy is because it has had immigrant workers for decades, not in spite of them.

Make no mistake. There is discrimination and racism in Germany. However, from a financial point of view, immigrants have been (and continue to be) an asset to Germany.

When they first arrive, language can be a problem, so some of the immigrants do low skilled work, despite often being qualified to do more. As in the UK, Germans don't want to do the work, but immigrants will work hard to remain in their chosen country.

Once language barriers have been overcome, many immigrants have shown that they bring skills and expertise with them. The inventors of the Pfizer vaccine are a classic example.

Immigrants are generally younger than the average population and, by definition, are people who are prepared to take the initiative. Their taxes support older people and they are often entrepreneurial, open small businesses and contribute to the country's wealth.

#ElderlyPerson I watched it too and he was very unimpressed!

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/25/lindsay-hoyle-berates-rishi-sunak-leaking-budget-details?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1635229469

lemongrove

Dropped snippets of info and speculation about Budget Day have been happening for a long time, right back to the days of Tony Blair.
Or....( could it possibly be?) just another government bashing exercise.

Snippets!?! Here is The Speaker's thought on this- and he is so right. So good to seem him put his foot down at last.

Just a passing thought, how has Germany managed to have a high wage economy despite all its refugees? Back to the. Post, I think it’s the government leaking all the info on the budget to give us something else to think about other than Covid and the high number of infections.

Fadingrose

Urmstongran, do you object to equality, sustainability, net zero, diversity and inclusivity?
With regard to paying taxes, there were thirty millionaires who challenged the government to tax them fairly and not to let lower income families bear the brunt
Sadly the government weren't interested in what they had to say

Fadingrose, having worked in the NHS I couldn’t agree with Urmstongran more.
The point being made is not that any of them may insignificant but the amount of resource and wasted time preaching about them, and paying lip service to tick boxes for some ‘senior’ manager to have their overpaid ‘roles’ justified.
That is the point, among with many similar stupidities throughout public and civil services.

sazz1

By raising the minimum wage the government will actually save money in Universal Credit top up benefits. So it's to their advantage to keep rising it. Just a thought.

Exactly! Not only that, but the Treasury will receive about a third of it in income tax and NICs. The unemployed receiving UC don't get minimum wage anyway.

Scones

It's an idea Urnmstongran. So then we could have an unequal, unsustainable, emissions producing public sector full of people who are all exactly the same.

Doesn't really sound like a great place to work, a good example to society or a crucible of innovation and effectiveness.

Or we could just treat people fairly, look after the environment and billionaires could pay their tax.

Hmm....in my work experience all title that include: consultant/study/rationalisation/assistant/"under" something or other manager/executive/advisor(y)..... Having swallowed the unswallowable fees of consultants in 90s (at one folding firm) at a rate of £750/day?? when we were all losing our jobs(!) Yet these non-people still manage to screws ridiculous amount of dosh from companies under the lie that they have some secret knowledge that's worth a fortune that will solve all their ills!!! Consultants,my a®$€!!!!!

By raising the minimum wage the government will actually save money in Universal Credit top up benefits. So it's to their advantage to keep rising it. Just a thought.