To think minimum wage is dire. What hourly rate would you work for?

Increase minimum wage for the hotel dishwasher, means the waitress says well I think I'm worth a bit more than that, as does the barman, the chef, the receptionist, the manager. You just end up with everything going up in price to cover the wage increases.

The housing issue is down to the past 50 years of lack of house building to keep up with demand.

What’s the lowest hourly rate you would be willing to work for?

Well that's a bit of an odd question and I'm not sure what useful answers you'll possibly get.

If I was jobhunting now, secure in my existing job and just wanting a change - I wouldn't accept any lower than my existing salary, which is not minimum wage nor close to it.

If I was unexpectedly unemployed and needed work, or wanted a top up evening job with specific hours - I'd take anything I could to get money in quickly and would expect many of those jobs to be at minimum wage.

Minimum wage is too low and anytime it's raised there's always a thread complaining.

Wages in the uk are too low but the British I dunno we except crumbs we should want more for ourselves, it's criminal we think £35k is an excellent salary but anytime doctors, teachers etc get a mediocre pay raise people are frothing to complain.

Low wages also are a reason as to why many can't afford to buy a home. House prices have outpaced wage growth.

GDP per person is awfully low.

I agree with your take on it. I'd actually reduce minimum wage as payable for those just starting low skill jobs, but reclassify what are considered low skilled jobs like caring, hospitality, till operative etc. These are the jobs that seem more in demand by employers at present, and should receive a premium to encourage people to do them.

I work for min wage, 40hrs a week
It's low and it's a struggle to afford mortgage and bills by myself some months

I don't think the minimum wage is too low but I think too many jobs pay the minimum wage.

Particularly jobs that require training and/or specific qualifications or levels of qualification (e.g. childcare and adult social care) should be well above minimum wage.

Minimum wage should be reserved for entry level, very little training and no qualifications required.

Nearly £12 an hour for unskilled labour is not that bad. Many countries don't pay this for people with little or no experience and little or no qualifications. (And many no qualifications/no experience jobs do pay this 'nearly £12 an hour.')

What jobs are you applying for @ColdTantrum ???

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Pay has stagnated hugely in my job. I'm salaried now but 20 years ago was earning £16 an hour. This was considered very good money, especially for a single mum who everyone assumed would be low paid. The hourly rate is about £20 I think now, which is no way reflective of how much prices have risen. Back then £7 an hour was considered good locally for factory jobs, it will be relatively a lot more now. My first job back in 1997 was £6k a year 😱

Well that is not exactly minimum wage is it!

I agree OP. I have been job hunting and the wages are dire, especially for the responsibility.
I am not great with hourly rates but my pay band is between 45 and 48k per year, and it feels quite low.