THE Conservative Party has always opposed any kind of minimum wage, so it comes as a major surprise that they plan to raise it.

They say they are the party of the future and for once in my life I think I believe them.

Most of their policies are locked so far into the future even Dr Who’s Tardis would take an eternity to get there.

We hear the Tories’ plan to raise the National Living Wage to a wallet-busting £10.50 an hour. But this will not come into effect until 2024, that’s a whole five years down the line.

Which leads us to the question, what is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage? Answer: the National Minimum Wage is legally binding whereas the National Living Wage which is supposed to pay a little bit more, is not legally binding.

It should also be noted that an employer does not have to pay his employee the National Living Wage as they can opt for the cheaper bargain basement version by simply paying them the National Minimum. Pay rise for millions? Someone at No 10’s having a laugh!

Stephen Dixon, Redcar