Should the minimum wage be raised to £15 per hour?

The UK's National Living Wage stands at £12.21 per hour for workers aged 21 and over as of 2025, with recent increases linked to rising unemployment at 5.2%, the highest since 2015. Costs like stamps, food, and housing have outpaced wage growth; for example, minimum wage adjustments since 2005 would need to reach £16+ per hour to match stamp price rises alone. Businesses face higher employer National Insurance contributions, prompting concerns over job losses, while advocates argue £15 would better address living costs amid stagnant real wages.