The consequence of this could be profound. Most robust studies suggest the level at which minimum wage rates is set still matters, and that raising the effective minimum wage this aggressively will lead to fewer jobs than otherwise. The OBR agrees. It estimates 60,000 fewer people in employment as a result of this change – in good times. The implications in the aftermath of recessions are likely to be significantly higher still. But even on the lower number, that’s 60,000 individuals with families and aspirations – like a mother of a Facebook friend of mine, a cleaner who was told she would lose one job and have hours reduced in another as a result just yesterday.