Boris Johnson wants the Tories to put raising wages “front and centre” of their economic policy, as rivals to replace David Cameron start to stake out competing visions for the party’s future.
The mayor of London is stepping up pressure on the prime minister to support the campaign for the “living wage”, which is higher than the national minimum wage of £6.50 an hour.
Mr Johnson, who believes that rewarding work is a “Conservative mission”, thinks that the party should consider giving tax breaks to companies that pay the living wage, currently £7.85 outside London and £9.15 in the capital.
Although he accepts that it should remain voluntary, Mr Johnson is studying closely moves by Labour-controlled Brent council to offer rebates on business rates to