What an unfeeling, out of touch, idiot!! As an NHS nurse, I work FT (more than that), and I can't work more hours/earn more as I'm also a single parent of two kids (one is primary school age, and I am lucky enough to have negotiated FT hours around wraparound care - this is bloody rare in my line of work!). I'm lucky as I'm a Band 6, but I have to watch the pennies (XH doesn't pay a penny, and doesn't help).
What about all the workers on a lower wage than me? How do they expect them to take time out of work to retrain and find "better paying jobs"? I was lucky to have the chance to get a good education and qualifications behind me, many don't have that privilege (or ability, or their health/life circs don't allow it). None of them are looking for handouts, they simply need a decent living wage, in line with inflation, that would enable them to be able to afford the basics!! It doesn't matter what job they do, we should be thankful that there are people doing these jobs, and earning an honest wage.
This idiot is talking about people whose jobs are ones that EVERYONE relies on (even him). If they all suddenly buggered off and got these magic, higher paying jobs (btw, where are these jobs? As if it was that easy to just get a better paying job), then the country would be on its knees.