Boris Johnson regularly talks about 'levelling up' Britain while not being clear about what this actually means.
Presumably it refers to some sort of shift that would address regional inequalities and drive up wages, the accompanying booming economy delivering on housing, infrastructure and green industry.
There is nothing wrong with setting ambitious policies and targets aimed at improving the lives of citizens. All governments should be committed to making life better, lifting people out of poverty and offering a future that is positive, stable and prosperous.
Of course, we know laudable aims don't always translate into practical outcomes and while the British prime minister is focused on a particular vision, the reality is that he is having to deal with events such as Covid, the Brexit fallout and global decisions that can undermine his economic wish-list.
Yesterday's announcement on the National Living Wage is being trumpeted by government as good news - and it is a welcome development - but looking at it in isolation does not give the whole picture.
From April 1, the living wage will increase from £8.91 an hour to £9.50 for workers aged 23 and over. Those below that age will also qualify for an increase in the minimum wage.
The move was confirmed ahead of this week's budget and, according to the government, will mean that a full-time worker on the living wage will get a pay rise of more than £1,000 per year.
The 6.6 per cent increase is more than double the current consumer price inflation rate of 3.1 per cent.
But the hike comes against the backdrop of highly challenging economic circumstances, including an increase in national insurance contributions, an end to the £20 per week universal credit uplift and soaring energy prices.
The impact of measures such the universal credit cut will be felt immediately while householders and businesses will be deeply concerned about surging gas, electricity, home heating oil and fuel costs throughout the winter.
Rising inflation and price increases across a number of areas, including food, is also a significant concern, and will erode the spending power of wage packets.
Increasing the living wage is a good thing, minimising the amount of tax paid by those on low incomes is an important measure open to the Chancellor.
Every citizen deserves a decent standard of living. Minimum wage levels help this process but the government must be careful that small gains for workers are not cancelled out by poorly-thought through decisions on a wider level.
