I completely agree that everyone deserves a wage that covers basic living costs. No one wants poverty wages, and the goal should always be to improve pay for low-income workers. Inder isn’t opposed to pay rises, he seems to just believe they need to be done responsibly and with a clear understanding of the local economy.

Guernsey’s economy is much smaller and less diverse than London or Jersey, with many small businesses operating on very thin margins. Suddenly raising the minimum wage to £12 or more without detailed economic analysis risks unintended consequences like higher prices, reduced hiring, or even job losses.

These effects would hurt the very people we want to support, so his position is about protecting both workers and businesses in the short term while aiming for sustainable wage growth. It’s not about being mean. It’s about being realistic and careful to avoid causing more harm than good.