The Institute for Fiscal Studies- which is a real thing by the way- seems to think that we're both better off and worse off, at the same time!
To be precise, the IFS found people in there 20's are 7.6% worse off than in 2007-08 (before the crisis) and people in their 30's, 40's and 50's are doing 2.5% worse than they were then.
Yet all the headlines say things like "Good News Gang, We're Back to Where we Were 8 Years Ago" or words to that effect.
Either this is an example of disingenuous reporting or some sort of witchcraft. But no matter, we got to the facts in the end.
Wages are too low. The politicians and their mates at the Confederation of British Industry (another real thing) think £6.50/hour is enough to live on.
The bizarrely named opposition Labour Party are calling for the minimum wage to rise by £1.50 over 5 years. Let's hope prices stay exactly as they are and sit tight.
Even the Nice Guys from the Green Party think we can wait until 2020 for a decent standard of living.
Across the USA, workers are fighting for a $15/hr minimum wage and winning. In Seattle, in San Francisco they've won. Even Wal-Mart (ASDA to you and me) have been forced to make concessions whilst still making £10 billion in profit.
Rent, bills and food won't wait 5 years. TUSC is clear, we need £10/hour. Now.
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