As we predicted in our comment on the national minimum wage, the unemployed number has burst through the 10 million barrier to settle at 10.226 million (38.5% of the labour force).

​

This is the number attached to the expanded definition of unemployment, which includes those who have given up looking for a job. What did the government expect when it increased the minimum wage and made it national?

 

The small businesses in the small towns and villages can’t be expected to pay the same wages as the cities. Could the government not see what was as clear as daylight to a group of the unemployed?

​

But all is not lost. If the government will take advice, the unemployment problem can be solved.