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Kerry L. Papps, Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Bath

A £15 national minimum wage won't tackle the cost of living crisis — an economist explains why

Would a hike in the national minimum wage help tackle the cost of living crisis? Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock

Since it was introduced 23 years ago, the national minimum wage has raised the incomes of millions of Britons and reduced inequality.

Everyone loves it. For Labour politicians it’s a tool to reduce inequality, while for Conservatives it’s a way to force businesses to take on some of the burden of the welfare system. Technocrats get a sound policy based on impartial evidence, some of it provided by labour economists like me.

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