The Tory stance on the national living wage is way past its sell-by date

Another debate about pay and another conservative think tank claiming raising it will cost jobs – despite mounds of evidence showing otherwise, writes James Moore

TUC director general Frances O’Grady says government should support hard hit industries rather than holding down the wages of low paid workers (Getty Images)

Raising the national living wage would cost jobs and disadvantage young workers.” So declared the Centre for Policy Studies, and if you were wondering how long it would take the right to take aim at workers’ pay your answer is no time at all.

The favourite think tank of Tory MPs has taken note of the fact that the pandemic has led to a rise in unemployment, partly as a result of Rishi Sunak’s slow footedness in extending the job retention, or furlough, scheme, which is now slated to remain open until 31 March.

This has opened the door for it to table a wearily familiar argument: that minimum wages cost jobs.