wages

Trump’s proposed immigration policy, which includes mass deportations, could further strain the economy by tightening labor markets, driving up wages and adding to inflationary pressures, analysts have said — particularly in low-wage industries like agriculture, construction and food service.

He highlighted the increased costs for councils from inflation, wages and demand for local services and urged the minister to ensure they did not have to close libraries, cut bus routes or reduce road repairs as a result.

The high fees can trap renters earning lower or average wages in apartments for years, unable to shell out the cost of an $18,000 gold Cartier bracelet simply to move apartments.

Minimum wages are also set to rise from April.

He called on the government to "phase" in the increases in National Insurance and minimum wages for businesses "over the next two to three years" rather than in April next year.