They can level up. But not too much to get close to provincial plutocrats Like ZZB.

Ah, I get it now, just more hot air from Bojo
Levelling up, just as long as you dont catch up to me

ZZB always shows his true colours.

And you mate ,you're a captain of industry are you not ,mind you you with your ability to twist the facts I assume that means you're a self employed painter and decorator in reality, at least you pay your fair share of taxes

The issue isn't about how much people earn it is about the consumer wanting to pay the additional costs of these increases in labour costs. I suppose the view of Ghost and Wren is that the big bad capitalist should simply absorb them - decimate their profitability and lower the salaries of the bosses?

I guarantee that if either of them were impacted they would be up in arms - Ghost trots out the Socialist spew but does from his lofty seat the same will said of Wrencat - hypocrites both

Yes but you are quite happy for the troubles in NI to return which you will realise will mean the reintroduction of the Army and an increased threat to the U.K. and what for to show the EU that we don’t keep to our signed agreements. I wonder what Biden and the USA will think to the line of action when Johnson tries to seek a trade deal.
The problem we face is that Johnson is so desperate for the U.K. to be seen as a global player once again striking out signing anything however negatively it impacts on the U.K. population just so he can board one of his two painted planes and have a photo opportunity to give his famous Selwin Froggett thumbs up “magic”.

Another insightful contribution, thanks.

No, like my company has done it will absorb some of the NLW increases through efficiencies or other cost savings and will pass some on to the customers. That's how the world works.

I have absolutely no doubt that you were passionately against the introduction of the minimum wage pre-1997, and were trotting out the same doom-laden things about how it would decimate poor corporates back then too. Instead we went on to enjoy an unprecedented era of growth and prosperity.

Once again you are talking out of your booty, just like your "trusted" leader, Bojo.
Do you not think that tax increases would impact me, just as much as the next person.

Nobody "likes" paying tax, nobody.
However, you have to take issue with politicians who talk about "levelling up" and do the exact opposite.

I notice that record numbers are now eligible for free school meals though but, I'm not sure that this is in line with his manifesto.

Johnson simply implemented what the population voted for - was it a good deal - could it ever have been as a good a deal as we had - no of course not. Should the whole deal be put at risk because two groups of gangsters are having a turf war - not a chance. More people are killed in gang wars in London than were ever killed in the Irish conflict - why it has such a high profile defies all logic. We see with Covid how detrimental one issue decision-making can be.

We all know Johnson isn't a person with any gravitas and his continued presence will have a negative impact on the UK in the eyes of serious political players. Unfortunately he is popular and without a credible opposition he is in a position of total dominance. There also seems to be a large chunk of the population that would like to see the pre-Covid status quo on freedoms never returning - some notable posters on here DG, 99 being amongst them. So even that wont unseat him. Perhaps when the furlough ends and the true extent of the mess we are in becomes apparent then we might see a change.